Case continued for Lockesburg man accused of abuse of corpse

Submitted by Patrick Massey of KDQN.net

A summer trial date has been set for a Lockesburg man accused in 2022 of improperly disposing of a newborn child that did not survive birth.

Matthew Hallmark, 20, is scheduled to appear in the Sevier County Circuit Court on June 13 for a pre-trial hearing. If he maintains his plea of not guilty, he will appear before a jury for a trial scheduled on July 17.

Hallmark appeared in court last month for a pre-trial hearing and was granted a continuance in the case proceedings.

Hallmark, who is a resident of Lockesburg, was charged with abuse of a corpse following the death of his baby son in November of 2022. In Arkansas the offense is a felony and can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The mother, who authorities say was a 17-year-old juvenile at the time of birth, was also charged with a similar offense. Court records show her case was being held within the juvenile court. As a minor her name was not being released.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a report on Nov. 7 of 2022 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 Sevier County Sheriff’s Office located the baby in a nearby dumpster.

Hallmark has since posted a $50,000 bond.