Parents Sentenced in Child Neglect Death
A New York couple has been sentenced to the maximum prison term of 16 months to four years after their three-year-old daughter died from a severe lice infestation that led to anemia and contributed to her death. Matthew Dylewski, 34, and Samantha Dylewski, 33, pleaded guilty in connection with the death of Joycelynn Ann Dylewski, who was rushed to the hospital on February 19, 2025, after struggling to breathe at the family's apartment in Corinth, New York, about an hour outside Albany.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing acute and chronic neglect. The child had a severe lice infestation that caused anemia, weakening her heart and other organs. Additionally, the blood pressure medication clonidine was found in her system. Samantha Dylewski told investigators she had difficulty treating the lice because Joycelynn "fought her too much." She also claimed the child ingested clonidine after her older brother misplaced it.
Prosecutor Reveals Disturbing Details
Saratoga County First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Buckley presented evidence in court, including text messages between the parents discussing giving clonidine to Joycelynn. "Her husband tells her she can give it to Joycelynn. Shortly after Joycelynn's death, there's an internet search on the cellphone to search for how long it would stay in the system," Buckley said. The apartment was described as infested with flies, with decomposing food, contaminated furniture, and a blocked kitchen sink. A dead cockroach was found on the girl's body, and her teeth were "rotten and black."
Dan Shippee, owner of Phoenix Property Maintenance, who cleaned the apartment, stated: "I've never really been in too many places where I had to shovel so much trash off the floor. There were dead flies and bugs all over that apartment."
Maximum Sentence and No Contact with Surviving Children
Saratoga County Judge James R. Davis imposed the maximum sentence, calling the circumstances "the most horrific he has ever read." The court also prohibited the parents from contacting their four surviving children, all under 17, until June 2038. "Your daughter suffered over a long period of time. Even the other children could see that she suffered because of your neglect. It's a gift to have a child. You had several children, and all of them suffered at your hands," Davis said.
Proposed 'Jocelynn's Law' Seeks Tougher Penalties
The case has prompted state legislators to propose "Jocelynn's Law," which would raise the maximum sentence for criminally negligent homicide of a child from 1 1/3 to 4 years to 20 years to life. State Sen. James Tedisco, Assemblyman Simpson, and Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby are championing the bill. Tedisco stated: "Joycelynn Dylewski deserved a happy childhood... What she endured as a 3-year-old child at the hands of her parents is sickening and unimaginable. This was premeditated criminal neglect of a child. Her death wasn't caused by a fit of anger... but in premeditated actions over a period of time. Even to the extent that her cries of pain and anguish were silenced by an illicit drug." He added, "A modicum of justice would be to strengthen the law and send perpetrators of these crimes to prison for 20 years to life."
