MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
PRESS RELEASE
ELDER ABUSE DEFENDANT RECEIVES 27 YEAR SENTENCE
On April 24, 2009, Hoyt Hibbard, a registered sex offender, was convicted of the First Degree Felony Offense of Injury to the Elderly and sentenced to 27 years in prison. Mr. Hibbard was convicted of throwing his 84 year old mother to the floor and breaking her hip. He left her alone on the floor for three days until she was discovered by emergency medical personal lying in her own human waste. Despite the severity of the assault, the complaining witness, who was dependent on the defendant for her care, was not cooperative. Assistant District Attorney Brett Peabody was able to substantiate the details of the assault through testimony by the medical personnel, doctors and police officers who had responded to the victim and provided her medical care.
The defendant had a prior conviction for Indecency with a Child out of Harris County and a prior assault charge where he threw his then pregnant wife up against a wall. Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court sentenced Mr. Hibbard to 27 years in prison as recommended by the jury.
“Given the large population of retired individuals in our community, elder abuse is and will continue to be a priority of our office,” said District Attorney Brett Ligon. “Mr. Hibbard’s vicious attack and subsequent neglect of mother is an unfortunate example of a growing trend in domestic violence cases. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the elderly from abuse and neglect.”