Woman accused of leaving 7 children malnourished, locked inside room cries in court

Thursday, January 5, 2017
FORT BEND COUNTY (KTRK) -- Paula Sinclair, 54, is charged in the case of seven children found malnourished and locked in a room. She got emotional during a hearing Thursday because she can't stand being in jail, her attorney said.

"Nobody wants to be in jail. No one. And that's universal," defense attorney Don Hecker said.
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The hearing at the Fort Bend County Courthouse was intended for the attorney to ask the judge to lower Sinclair's $200,000 bond.

"She can't afford that. She's asking for a bond reduction," Hecker said.

That hearing was reset for February.

RELATED: Documents detail what 7 children told investigators about living conditions


The bond covers two charges against Sinclair -- injury to a child and kidnapping charges concerning just two children. Investigators report finding seven special needs kids, all adopted by Sinclair, in a boarded-up room which was described as smelling of human waste.
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Hecker said he excepts more charges are likely.



"(From) what the DA has said, they do anticipate more charges," he said.

The judge did grant Sinclair a new lawyer in the hearing. Sinclair's family members hired Hecker to represent her instead of the court appointed attorney.

Sinclair was arrested along with Allen Richardson. He was not a part of the hearing. His bond was also set at $200,000.

The children were placed in state custody.



Attorneys expect this case to go before a grand jury next month.
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