A Duncan elementary teacher accused of sticking students with an insulin needle entered a not guilty plea Thursday in Stephens County District Court. Susie Leigh Hinckley, 52, of Altus, faces six felony child abuse counts, each carrying a maximum punishment of life in prison. The charges stem from a December 2025 incident at Emerson Elementary School.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Hinckley told investigators she was trying to show students how easily an insulin needle could bend, but that she may have punctured their skin. She was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began and has been free on a $25,000 bond since her initial court appearance on March 17.
The case is now scheduled for trial at 9 a.m. March 22, 2027, in Stephens County. For families across the Duncan and Lawton area, the nearly two-year wait for resolution raises real questions about school safety, oversight, and how districts respond when allegations involve a staff member. What do you think schools should do differently when a teacher is under investigation? Let us know on our Facebook page.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.