Arizona mom saves 12-year-old girl from sex offender who allegedly broke into home

PHOENIX – A 12-year-old girl’s mother and brother came to the rescue after a registered sex offender broke into their northern Arizona home early Wednesday, authorities said.

The mother and her 16-year-old son detained the suspect, 54-year-old Lloyd Beard, until deputies took him into custody, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Deputies responded to a trespassing call in Paulden, about 25 miles north of Prescott, around 3 a.m. to find the suspect outside with his pants down.

Beard, of Prescott, was treated for minor injuries he suffered during a struggle with the mother before being taken to jail, YCSO said.

Beard allegedly broke into the residence and entered the girl’s room, where he touched her face and climbed into her bed, YCSO said.

The girl managed to wake up her mother, who used physical force to get him out of the home.

Beard allegedly exposed himself in the yard and tried to run off, but the mother and her son chased him down and detained him until deputies arrived.

Authorities planned to book him on counts of aggravated assault, burglary, criminal trespassing, indecent exposure, voyeurism and disorderly conduct.

Beard is registered Level 3 sex offender for a crime committed in Colorado, according to online records. He also was previously cited for failure to register as a sex offender in Arizona.

“Violent sexual crimes against children are among the most heinous offenses I can think of. I am always as shocked as all of you at the capacity of these appalling offenders to prey on the vulnerable,” Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes said in the release, which was also posted on Facebook.

“These violent criminals must be removed from society, and we will always seek to prosecute them and fight for justice for their victims.”

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