Manslaughter charge will be included in case of adult abuse

Bobby Hinson, 62, is charged with the Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person. (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office)
Bobby Hinson, 62, is charged with the Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person. (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office)

During the May 6 Court hearing of Bobby Lee Hinson, 62, Prosecuting Attorney John Shepard said that based on autopsy findings, the state plans to charge Hinson with manslaughter over the death of his mother.

On Dec. 17, 2019, Bobby Hinson was booked in the Columbia County Jail, charged with abusing an endangered or impaired person. According to the Probable Cause Affidavit filed by Investigator Sgt. Dustin Cloud, he and Lt. Sam Kirby were dispatched to 1507 Lacari Street to assist the ambulance service with a patient at around 3:12 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2019. When they arrived at the address, Cloud spoke with Brandi Soils of Arkansas Adult Protective Services, who advised Cloud that their agency received a hotline call on Dec. 12, 2019, referencing potential adult abuse and malnourishment of Dolores Hinson by her son, Bobby Hinson.

When Cloud entered the home, he could smell a strong odor of urine and feces. Bobby Hinson led Cloud to his mother’s bedroom, where she lay on the bed in the fetal position. She was wearing an adult diaper that appeared not have been changed in several days, with fecal matter present on the bed comforter and sheets where she was laying. Dolores Hinson was transported to the Magnolia Regional Center Emergency Room for treatment.

Cloud questioned Bobby Hinson at the Magnolia Police Department, who said that his mother had been in the same shape she was found in for several days. Bobby Hinson said that he had been taking care of his mother for over a year. Hinson said she ate vegetable soup and that she drank a diet-orange drink earlier in the day. Miller asked Bobby Hinson if he bathed his mother, with Bobby Hinson stating that the last time he bathed her was on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019.

A search warrant was obtained for the home around 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2019. Cloud entered the home, and noticed that trash was piled up throughout. In the living room, old newspapers and trash lay on the furniture. In the kitchen, diet orange soda can boxes were piled up along the counters and boxes piled up the entrance way that lead to another living room area. There was old food in the refrigerator that appeared to have mold growing on it Inside the oven, there was old food still on a plate that also had mold growing from it.

Cloud walked to the bedroom where Dolores Hinson was found. In his report, he noted that the bedroom appeared to not have been cleaned in some time. The bed was covered in fecal matter and piles of bags that contained old soiled diapers and wipes were left in the adjoining bathroom. After these discoveries, Bobby Hinson was arrested and booked at the Columbia County Jail. Dolores Hinson passed away a month later on January 2, 2020, at Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas.

In the year and a half that Bobby Hinson has spent at the County Jail, multiple orders of continuance were issued on the case, with Attorney Jessica Yarbrough defending Bobby Hinson. On December 2, 2020, Bobby Hinson have notice that he intends to rely on the defense of mental disease or defect. He was found fit to proceed on May 6 and was offered a plea deal that he and his attorney will have to review. His next scheduled appearance is on June 21.

Upcoming Events