Ex-Bensalem man charged with murder of son he abused 13 years ago.

A former resident of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, has been charged with third-degree murder following the tragic death of his son due to complications arising from injuries the boy sustained as an infant. Kyle Hinkle, 38, who currently resides in Allentown, was formally charged this week in connection to the death of his son, Leonardo, who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 11.

The sequence of events leading to this charge extends back over a decade. Investigators revisited the case after the Fayette County coroner classified Leonardo’s death as a homicide earlier this year. In an extensive review of medical records, authorities established a direct link between the child’s earlier injuries and his subsequent death, leading to Hinkle’s arrest.

Hinkle remains incarcerated, with a bail set at million, of which he must post 10% for release. As of now, there is no public indication that he has engaged legal representation.

The initial revelation of the abuse surfaced in October 2012 when Leonardo, only three months old at the time, was admitted to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Philadelphia. Medical professionals identified severe head injuries that were determined to be intentionally inflicted. A CAT scan further revealed the presence of older injuries that had been healing, suggesting a pattern of abuse.

Witness testimony from the boy’s grandmother indicated prior incidents of injury, including bruises on Leonardo’s arm that corresponded to an item of jewelry Hinkle had worn, raising suspicions of physical harm inflicted by the father. During a police interview, Hinkle acknowledged that he had vigorously shaken his son out of frustration, neglecting to support the infant’s head during the act.

Due to the severe nature of the injuries, Leonardo was left wheelchair-bound, nonverbal, and dependent on a feeding tube. Hinkle entered a guilty plea in 2013 to charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, resulting in a two-year prison sentence followed by three years of probation. In the years following, Leonardo and his mother relocated to Oliver, Fayette County, east of Pittsburgh.

The Fayette County coroner’s statement acknowledged that complications from Shaken Baby Syndrome were the direct cause of the child’s untimely death. The ongoing investigation reflects the complexities etailed in cases involving child abuse and the long-term consequences that can stem from such acts of violence. This tragic situation highlights the pressing issue of child safety and the severe ramifications of domestic violence.

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