At a Glance
- Charity Beallis, 40, and her 6-year-old twins were found shot dead in their Arkansas mansion on December 3
- Bodies of the twins were released to their father, Dr. Randall Beallis, despite family wishes for joint burial
- Randall had been convicted of third-degree domestic battery against Charity just weeks before the deaths
- Why it matters: This case highlights how domestic violence convictions don’t automatically restrict parental rights over children’s remains
A grieving son’s final wish to bury his mother alongside her young twins has been denied, after the children’s bodies were released to their father – the same man who had recently been convicted of domestic battery against their mother.
Charity Beallis, 40, and her 6-year-old twins were discovered shot to death in their Bonanza, Arkansas mansion on December 3 at approximately 9:30 a.m., according to a media release from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). Authorities responded to the scene after receiving a wellness check request.
The discovery came just one day after Charity’s final divorce hearing with her husband, Dr. Randall Beallis, 56, according to online court records first cited by local news outlet 5News.
Custody of Remains Sparks Controversy
In a decision that has devastated the surviving family, the bodies of the twins were released to their father, Randall, while Charity’s remains were given to her adult son, 24-year-old John Powell.
The family had desperately hoped for a joint burial. John expressed his anguish in an interview with the Daily Mail, saying: “It’s sickening. I was hoping to have them all in the same place, as they deserved and how they would have wanted it. It’s just been a lot.”
The young man remains in the dark about his siblings’ final arrangements. “I don’t even know if the kids have been buried, or cremated, or where they may be. I don’t know anything at the moment, because [Randall] has told me nothing. It’s heartbreaking,” he added.
Charity was buried on December 29, 2025 without her children present.
History of Domestic Violence
The tragedy follows a documented pattern of domestic abuse. Court records reveal that Charity had sought full custody of her children and requested a protective order for herself and the twins.
Her request stemmed from Randall’s arrest and domestic violence charges. Online jail records show he was initially charged with:
- Aggravated assault on a family member
- Third-degree domestic battery
- Two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor
Online court documents in the criminal case alleged that Randall choked and caused physical harm to Charity on February 16.
In October, Randall pleaded guilty to third-degree battery. He received a 1-year suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $1,500 in fines. The court also mandated that he have no contact with Charity or any members of her family unless authorized by a valid court order.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 16 | Randall allegedly chokes and harms Charity |
| October | Randall pleads guilty to third-degree battery |
| December 2 | Final divorce hearing |
| December 3 | Charity and twins found dead at 9:30 a.m. |
| December 4 | Randall’s attorney files motion to dismiss divorce case |
| December 29 | Charity buried without her children |
Investigation Ongoing
The three deaths remain under investigation by authorities. The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment on whether Randall is considered a suspect in the case, according to 5News.
Adding to the legal complexities, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case on December 4, stating “the plaintiff passed away,” as reported by 5News citing court records.
The couple, who wed in 2015, had stopped living together in February 2025, according to online divorce records.
Legal Questions Remain
The case raises difficult questions about parental rights following domestic violence convictions. Despite his recent conviction and the no-contact order, Randall retained legal rights as the children’s father to claim their remains.
This outcome has left the surviving family members struggling to understand how the system failed to protect them, even in death. The lack of communication from Randall about the twins’ burial arrangements has only compounded their grief.
Key Takeaways:
• A mother and her 6-year-old twins were found dead one day after her final divorce hearing
• The father, recently convicted of domestic battery against the mother, claimed the children’s bodies
• Domestic violence convictions don’t automatically restrict parental rights over deceased children’s remains
• The surviving son’s desire for a family burial was denied, leaving them separated even in death
