Elder abuse charges reduced to misdemeanors in plea agreement

Matthew Robert Quillen

A Kingpsort man was sentenced to 11 months and 29 day of supervised probation as part of a plea agreement that reduced felony elder neglect charges to misdemeanors.

Matthew Robert Quillen, 36, appeared in Hawkins County Criminal Court on Jan. 13 where he pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor elder neglect and one count of simple possession of marijuana dating back to 2020.

In addition to the probation Quillen was ordered by Judge Alex Pearson to pay $5,426 in fines and fees.

Quillen was originally indicted on three counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, a Class E felony.

On March 8, 2020 the KPD responded to the residence of Bobby Quillen on Timberidge Trail in the Hawkins County portion of Kingsport on a complaint that he was being threatened by his son, Matthew Robert Quillen.

Police determined that the father suffers from multiple debilitating health issues and the son is his caregiver. Although a KPD report was made on March 8, 2020 there was no arrest. The KPD subsequently received multiple reports noting concern for the father’s welfare.

An Adult Protective Services (APS) case worker later visited the home and reportedly found no food other than cream pies and fig cookies. On April 4, 2020 police responded to the residence due to a domestic incident involving Matthew Quillen and his girlfriend, and it was again noted that there was very little to eat in the house. As a result, APS began bringing food to Bobby Quillen.

A subsequent investigation revealed that despite the father’s serious illnesses he hadn’t been to see his doctor since the previous November, and had missed two recent doctor’s appointments.

Matthew Quillen was arrested by the KPD on May 30, 2020.

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Elder abuse charges reduced to misdemeanors in plea agreement