Asheville -- February 8, 2026: n off-duty Asheville Police Department (APD) officer is facing multiple charges, including child abuse and driving while impaired, following an incident Saturday afternoon in Fairview.
Beau Baley, a veteran officer with the APD, was taken into custody by Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputies on February 7, 2026. The arrest occurred after authorities were alerted to a situation at the Ingles supermarket on Charlotte Highway.
Details of the Charges
According to arrest warrants, Baley was operating a vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance. At the time of the incident, a child under the age of 16 was reportedly in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, unrestrained by a seatbelt. This led to a charge of misdemeanor child abuse.
In addition to the DWI and child abuse charges, Baley is facing:
Public Urination: Reportedly occurring in the parking lot of the Ingles.
Resisting a Public Officer: Deputies state Baley physically resisted and refused to follow commands during the arrest.
Reckless Driving: Cited for his willful and wanton disregard for safety while operating the vehicle with an unrestrained minor.
Department and Community Impact
The Asheville Police Department issued a statement on Sunday morning expressing deep disappointment regarding the arrest. While the department did not provide specific details on Baley's current employment status—citing personnel privacy laws—standard protocol typically places an officer on administrative leave during internal investigations.
The arrest is expected to have a ripple effect within the local legal system. Court records indicate Baley was scheduled to testify as a key witness in dozens of cases throughout February and March. The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office is likely to review how these charges may impact those pending proceedings.
Next Steps
Baley was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center. A first appearance date for these specific charges is expected to be set early this week.
*Suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
WNCtimes