May trial date set for Lockesburg man following death of Newborn

 A May trial date has been set for a Lockesburg man accused last November 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 April 27 for a pre-trial hearing. If he maintains his plea of not guilty, he will appear before a jury for a trial scheduled on May 3.

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

The mother, who authorities say is a 17-year-old juvenile, was also charged with a similar offense. Court records show her case is being held within the juvenile court. As a minor her name is 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 is currently free on a $50,000 bond following a hearing held earlier this month.