Father Charged with Murder in Death of 11-Year-Old Son

UPDATE: Kyle T. Hinkle, the father of 11-year-old Leonardo Ramon Hinkle, has been charged with murder following the child’s tragic death last year. The Bensalem Township Police announced the third-degree murder charges on Monday, marking a significant development in a case that has shocked the community.

The charges stem from the fatal incident that occurred on February 16, 2024, where authorities confirmed that Leonardo died from complications related to severe abuse he suffered over a decade ago. In March, Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker revealed that an investigation linked the boy’s tragic death to blunt force trauma inflicted during his infancy.

Kyle Hinkle, aged 38 and residing in Allentown, had a history of violence against his son, having been arrested in 2012 for shaking Leonardo when he was just 3 months old. At that time, Hinkle pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, receiving a sentence of 12 to 24 months in prison along with two years of probation. Since that incident, he reportedly had no contact with Leonardo.

The recent charges highlight the ongoing impact of the abuse, as District Attorney Michael Aubele stated, “When he was an infant, there was a shaken baby incident. He was bedridden and needed around-the-clock care because of it.” Following discussions about jurisdictional issues, Aubele confirmed that the prosecution would take place in Bucks County, where the incidents occurred.

Bensalem Township police reported Hinkle’s arrest on Monday, and he has been remanded to Bucks County Jail with a bond set at $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on December 2, 2024.

In a poignant statement, Aubele praised Coroner Baker for ensuring justice for Leonardo, saying, “It would be real easy to just let something like this go, but he wanted to make sure this little boy got justice more than a decade after this incident happened.”

As this case unfolds, the community is left grappling with the heartbreaking loss of a young life and the implications of abuse that can echo through years. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow this urgent story.