Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Former Kimball man cited on 5 counts of child abuse

Sinks allegedly told children to drink from puddle

Timothy Sinks, 23, formerly of Kimball, was issued a court citation on Aug. 4 based on a recent Department of Health and Human Services intake evaluation.

Sinks is cited with five counts of child abuse, stemming from allegations made on July 6 of this year. While working at the Kimball Childcare Center that day, he allegedly told five children “that if they wanted to go outside, they would have to drink from a puddle,” according to Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff.

“This all spawned from a DHHS intake, and there was enough probable cause that he was issued a citation, but it was not an arrest,” Huff said.

Huff, who issued the citations, stated that Sinks’ employment was terminated the day of the alleged incidents, each class 3A felonies.

Confirmation from the Volunteers of America, which runs the local childcare center, regarding Sinks’ employment was not available.

“I have not received any formal information from either his attorney or the courts,” said Rachel Sissel, director of VOA for western Nebraska. “I don’t feel like it would be appropriate to discuss his employment at this time.”

Sinks is currently free on a personal recognizance bond and is awaiting the preliminary hearing, which was postponed at the request of Kimball County Attorney Dave Wilson, according to Tom Sonntag, attorney for the accused.

Sonntag said that the postponement was granted to allow the prosecution additional investigation time prior to the hearing, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sept. 2 in the Kimball County Court.

“I have agreed to represent Mr. Sinks because I think he is not guilty,” Sonntag said. “I don’t know what else I can tell you at this time.”