A JOHNSON CITY MAN ACCUSED OF NEGLECTING HIS FATHER HAS HAD HIS CASE BOUND OVER TO A WASHINGTON COUNTY TENNESSEE GRAND JURY. MARK HICKS IS CHARGED WITH ELDER ABUSE. THE CHARGE STEMS FROM AN INCIDENT EARLIER THIS YEAR IN WHICH 76 YEAR OLD MELVIN HICKS WAS SEEN IN THE FRONT YARD OF HIS HOME WEARING ONLY A T-SHIRT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION AUTHORITIES FOUND THE MAN IN POOR PHYSICAL CONDITION AND COVERED IN SORES. HICKS IS CURRENTLY FREE ON 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS BOND AND IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN CRIMINAL COURT IN JONESBOROUGH JANUARY 22ND.