A Montgomery County woman pleaded guilty Monday to the death of her 21-year-old son, who investigators say died from prolonged neglect.
Tylin Hatchett, who was blind, nonverbal and had cerebral palsy, died in September 2024. Authorities found him severely malnourished and dehydrated, weighing just 59 pounds inside the family’s Dresher apartment.
His mother, Sherrilynn Hawkins, 42, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including third-degree murder.
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Hawkins’ defense attorney, Joseph Schultz, said his client had diligently cared for her son until she became overwhelmed.
“Until the end, she was a great caregiver to him and obviously in the end it became too much for her and now she accepted the responsibility,” Schultz said.
However, Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Ed McCann offered an entirely different view. He said a health care company paid Hawkins and home health aide Loretta Harris to care for Hatchett, but failed to provide adequate support.
Investigators said the couple collected thousands of dollars in fees and gave Hatchett little or no attention.
McCann expressed disappointment at Hawkins’ conduct during the hearing.
“I was hoping that she would come and express her true remorse for killing this child, for murdering this child, and maybe give some explanation for why she did what she did, but clearly we didn’t hear any of that today,” he said.
Hawkins was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Harris previously pleaded guilty to neglect of a care dependent person and theft by deception. He is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
The victim’s father, Vernon Hatchett, faces charges including conspiracy to commit involuntary manslaughter and neglect.
Authorities say he remains at large.
A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.