Longtime Liberty County Commissioner Marion Stevens was arrested this weekend and, along with another person, charged with cruelty to children.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Major Bill Kirkendall, Stevens and Valencia Anita Stevens were arrested Saturday and booked into the Liberty County Jail. They bonded out on Sunday, posting $4,000 in cash or $8,000 in property.

The arrests followed after sheriff’s detectives looked further into a case involving a 12-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister, both foster children residing with Valencia Stevens.

The investigation began when the boy went missing for several hours and ended up at a home on Joy Lane, telling the homeowner he was hungry. The child, who had been missing since Friday, was reported missing to law enforcement Saturday. When authorities were called, they realized the child located in the residence was the missing child.

Kirkendall was unable to provide details as to what led to Marion Stevens’ arrest as the investigation is ongoing. He did say Stevens was not a resident of the home where the children were residing with Valencia Stevens.

The county commissioners issued a statement on the incident, acknowledging Stevens’ arrest.

“While the charges are serious, this matter is unrelated to the performance or activities of his office,” the statement read. “As such, and out of respect for the legal process and the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the Board will refrain from further comment at this time.”

The board also said it “remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the continued good operations of county government.”