Lockesburg parents charged following death of newborn

Two Lockesburg residents are in custody after authorities say they improperly disposed of a newborn child that did not survive birth.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a report on Nov. 7 regarding a baby being born at a home in Lockesburg. After further investigation, authorities discovered the baby, a boy, did not live and was disposed of. Deputies and investigators with the Sever County Sheriffs Office located the baby in a nearby dumpster.

The mother and father were both placed into custody on the charge of abuse of a corpse. In Arkansas the offense is a felony.

The father of the child has been identified as 20-year-old Matthew Hallmark. Investigators believe Hallmark was involved in the incident.

The mother, a 17-year-old juvenile, has not been named due to her status as a minor.

An autopsy by the Arkansas State Crime Lab on the baby boy is currently pending.