A Tyler elected official has been indicted on a felony elderly abuse charge over what investigators said was a dispute about setting up for communion at church.
Court records show Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton of Tyler was indicted Sept. 7 after a 72-year-old woman reported being hurt at Spring Creek Baptist Church.
An arrest affidavit states the 60-year-old Hampton shoved the older women during an April 2 argument over whose was supposed to lay out communion items. The older woman fell into a chair and hurt her wrist. The incident happened as the older woman met with a pastor.
Hampton, who's denied any physical contact, was arrested April 24 and freed on $10,000 bond. She didn't immediately return a message for comment Tuesday.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
