Dad finds, kills POS who had his missing little girl - gets huge outpouring of support to pay his legal fees

LONOKE COUNTY, AR- An Arkansas father who probably did what many fathers would do if they found their missing 14-year-old daughter with a 67-year-old man is receiving an outpouring of support for his legal fees, according to WFSB-3. 

On October 8, Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called about a missing child. While en route to his home, the father, Aaron Spencer, found his daughter in a car with the 67-year-old man, Michael Fosler. A dispute ensued, which ended with Spencer shooting and killing Fosler, the sheriff’s office said. 

Fosler died at the scene, and Spencer was taken into custody. He is facing a “preliminary charge” of first-degree murder. Sheriff John Staley said in a Facebook video that the investigation is ongoing, and official charges have yet to be filed. 

“I have not, nor will I, advocate for any specific charge,” Staley said. “This is a tragic situation, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those involved.” 

According to USA Today, a separate Facebook post by a woman identifying herself as the girl’s mother said the family was able to post bail for Spencer; however, they have started a fundraiser to help retain a lawyer. 

“We are private people, so all of this being public has been very difficult,” she shared on Facebook. She said the family had a no-contact order in place for Fosler due to stalking. 

Fosler was arrested by another agency in July, according to USA Today, and was booked for internet stalking of a child and sexual assault, Staley told the outlet. 

“This guy that preyed upon their daughter was released on bond, and had we stopped him that night and got him with her,” he said, “that bond would have been revoked. He never would have got out of jail. None of the bond companies would have let him out. We wouldn’t let him out.” 

The child’s mother believed Fosler took the girl to kill her. 

“We absolutely called 911 during the entire event,” she wrote on Facebook. “We had no idea this man was in contact with our child again. He was waiting 6-9 felonies for what he did, not 2. He was looking at the rest of his pathetic life in jail, and our daughter was the only witness.” 

“Some things we will never know, but we know that the police department afforded this predator privacy they did not give our family,” she wrote. “I’m deeply offended by the way this was handled by the county sheriff’s office.” 

Staley told USA Today he understood the fear that the mother experienced. 

“I absolutely do not support predators,’ he said. “I’m a daddy. I have three daughters. I know she’s hurt right now, but there’s absolutely nobody I would put ahead of our children, their children, my children.” 

Staley said his office continues to investigate what happened in the leadup to the shooting. 

“When we get on scene and there’s a homicide, it means one person took the life of another,” he said. “It’s either justified or not justified. That’s what the fact-finding, that’s what the investigation is going to find out.” 

Meanwhile, the family has raised over $100,000 toward Spencer’s legal fees in less than a week. 

“We’ve been able to secure legal counsel and are hopeful that we will be able to fight this charge,” Heather Spencer wrote in a Facebook post. A GiveSendGo account has been closed since the family’s goal was met. They are still accepting donations through the Gun Owners of Arkansas. 

“This incident is the newest example of ‘use of deadly force’ that we believe to be justified. Please donate to help this family and others who may find themselves in a similar situation,” the organization’s website reads. 

Heather said any money above and beyond what is needed will be donated to the Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center.

“It’s truly unbelievable the amount of support we have received, not just locally, but from strangers all over the world. If there has been any light in this, it has been the public response and outpouring of charity. It seems we all still agree that children deserve our protection,” Heather wrote on Facebook. She also asked for “continued prayers as we try and navigate a world that, for us, will never be the same.”