Trial Date Set for Lockesburg Man Accused of Improperly Disposing of Newborn

A Lockesburg man accused of improperly disposing of a newborn child who did not survive birth is scheduled to stand trial in January 2025. Matthew Hallmark, 22, is facing charges of abuse of a corpse following the death of his infant son in November 2022.

Hallmark is scheduled to appear in Sevier County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing on December 12. If he maintains his plea of not guilty, he will face a two-day jury trial on January 21-22, 2025.

Hallmark was previously granted a continuance during a pre-trial hearing on October 31, 2024.

The charges stem from a tragic incident in November 2022, when Sevier County deputies responded to a report of a newborn being born at a residence in Lockesburg. According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, investigators discovered that the baby, a boy, had not survived birth. Authorities say the child’s body was improperly disposed of in a nearby dumpster.

Hallmark and the child’s mother, a juvenile at the time, were both arrested following the discovery. Hallmark faces a felony charge of abuse of a corpse, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Hallmark has posted $50,000 bond and remains free pending trial.