A DAYCARE worker who admitted being a “sex addict” faces trial after allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl and possessing 100 child sex abuse images.
Asher Ellis, 21, has been charged with two counts of rape and 100 offences relating to the distribution, possession and viewing of child sexual abuse material.
The worker is accused of abusing the girl twice and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer claims he was mentally “incapable of appreciating the criminality” of his conduct.
Ellis’ defence also questioned whether he could properly communicate with his legal team.
But a psychological report filed last week found Ellis fit to stand trial despite suffering from an unspecified bipolar disorder.
Clinical psychologist Ed Stafford concluded that Ellis could understand the criminal nature of his alleged actions when they occurred.
During the evaluation, Ellis reportedly admitted to sexual contact with the nine-year-old girl, according to court records cited by the River Valley Democrat Gazette.
He claimed the first incident took place in April 2024, telling Stafford that “she initiated the first time”.
Ellis added: “instead of accepting something was wrong, I just did it anyway.”
He also admitted initiating a second incident in spring 2025 and claimed he felt “remorseful”, according to the report.
The psychological assessment revealed Ellis had been viewing child sexual abuse material since he was around 17.
Describing himself as an “admitted sex addict”, he told Stafford he downloaded the images to chase “that next high”.
Following his arrest, Ellis underwent a month-long treatment programme and was diagnosed with “compulsive sexual behavior and obsessive-compulsive disorder”.
He now attends weekly appointments with “a therapist who specializes in sex addiction”, Stafford revealed.
Ellis also claimed he had been sexually abused as a child.
He told the psychologist a female relative molested him when he was just six years old.
The 21-year-old also described himself as a “sexual grooming victim” after allegedly being targeted online by a male college student when he was 12.
Ellis admitted using alcohol and marijuana as a teenager and previously underwent three years of therapy for “anxiety, and body dysmorphia”.
He graduated from high school two years ago before enrolling at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
However, he has since told the psychologist he plans to drop out.
According to Stafford’s report, an elementary school daycare programme was his “first and only job”.
The allegations do not involve pupils or daycare attendees at Fort Smith Public , where he previously worked.
Ellis was arrested on December 3, 2025, before being released from Crawford County Detention Center two days later on a $100,000 bond.
No date has yet been set for his next court appearance.
