A New York judge has sentenced the parents of a three-year-old girl to prison after she died from severe neglect in a home so filthy it was later condemned. Matthew Dylewski, 34, and Samantha Dylewski, 33, each pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the death of their daughter Joycelynn Ann Dylewski in Corinth, New York.
Horrific conditions uncovered after death
Joycelynn died on February 19, 2025. Investigators described scenes that shocked even experienced officers. Bugs were found on her face and scalp, and a cockroach reportedly fell from her hat when it was removed. Her teeth were described as "rotten and black" by local reports.
Authorities determined that Joycelynn developed anaemia caused by an untreated lice infestation. The condition damaged her heart and other organs. She had also been given clonidine, a medication for high blood pressure. The combination of these factors led to her death, according to authorities.
Home condemned by officials
The family's apartment was overwhelmed with rubbish and debris, according to CBS 6 Albany. Officials later condemned the property due to its uninhabitable state.
The couple appeared separately before Saratoga County Judge James Davis for sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this year. Matthew Dylewski received a prison sentence of one and one-third to four years, as reported by the Albany Times Union. Samantha Dylewski was given the same sentence days earlier.
Judge condemns parental failure
Addressing Joycelynn's father in court, Judge Davis said: "You failed as a parent. Your entire job was to keep her safe." He noted that Joycelynn had been "completely reliant" on her parents for care. "She was a three year-old, and you failed in the most horrific way. This was completely preventable, and it's unconscionable, and I want you to think about that fact," the judge added.
During his sentencing, Matthew Dylewski told the court: "I totally wish that it didn't happen. I wish it would be that I died instead of my daughter. I still think that to this day… I constantly think about it. Nothing is ever going to change. I still want to die so I can be with her."
Mother admits failure
When sentencing Samantha Dylewski, Judge Davis said Joycelynn's suffering continued over a prolonged period. "Your daughter suffered over a long period of time," he said. He added that even the couple's other children had witnessed what was happening. "It's a gift to have a child. You had several children, and all of them suffered at your hands."
Samantha Dylewski admitted in court: "As their mother, it's my duty to protect them from harm, and I failed." The couple are also barred from having any contact with their four surviving children until 2038.
