TPD Officer Arrested By Lighthorse PD For Suspected Child Abuse

Lighthorse Police have arrested a Tulsa Police Officer accused of child abuse. A spokesman for Lighthorse PD said their officer arrested Micheal Bell Tuesday night.

Tulsa Police released a statement saying they were told Tuesday night Officer Bell was under criminal investigation. Jason Salsman with the Muskogee Nation and Lighthorse Police Department said the officer was arrested on suspicion of child abuse.

"I was notified by our deputy police Chief Daniel Wind that there was an incident where they did arrest a Tulsa Police Officer for suspicion of child abuse," Salsman said.

TPD said Bell is being charged with Child Abuse for an incident that happened while he was off duty in Jenks.

"The alleged crime took place inside of the Muskogee reservation and the suspect is a Native American citizen," Salsman said.

Bell was booked into the Tulsa County Jail Tuesday night but before his arrest, he was placed on Administrative Leave and relieved of his duties pending the investigation. Bell was hired in September of 2019 and was assigned to the Mingo Valley Division.

News on 6 requested the court documents in this case from the Muskogee Creek Nation but has not received them yet. Since Bell is Native American, he could be prosecuted in Tribal Court or Federal Court.