Girl, 3, dies from ‘most horrific’ lice infestation and child neglect | US | News

A New York state couple has been sentenced to the maximum prison sentence after their three-year-old daughter died after being so infected by a severe lice infestation that she developed anaemia.

Matthew Dylewski, 34, and Samantha Dylewski, 33, called an ambulance on February 19, 2025, after their daughter Joycelynn Ann Dylewski had trouble breathing. The family lived in an apartment in Corinth, about an hour outside of Albany.

The young girl was taken to the hospital and later died. Authorities later ruled her death a homicide, and the medical examiner concluded that the cause of death was linked to acute and chronic neglect.

According to the Times Union, Jocelynn was ravaged by lice before her death, which led to her developing anemia and essentially weakening her heart and other organs. The medical examiner also found that clonidine, a blood pressure medication, was in his system when he died.

Samantha told investigators that she was unable to treat her daughter’s lice infestation because “she fought it so hard when she tried to treat it” on her scalp. He also claimed that Jocelynn consumed clonidine after her older brother accidentally misplaced it.

But Saratoga County First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Buckley explained that Samantha and her husband discussed Jocelynn’s drug consumption in text messages. “Her husband told her she could give it to Joycelynn. Shortly after Joycelynn’s death, an online search was made from her cell phone to find out how long it would remain in the system,” Buckley told the court.

Buckley also highlighted in court the terrible conditions the family endured, stating that the family residence was infested with flies, food was rotting on surfaces, furniture was dirty and the kitchen sink was clogged.

Published photos of the flat reveal expired food products and packaging strewn across the bedroom floor. Investigators also revealed that when the girl was found in the apartment, a dead cockroach was found on her body and her teeth were “rotten and black.”

“I’ve never been in so many places where I’ve had to throw so much trash off the floor,” said Dan Shippee, owner of Phoenix Property Maintenance, which was called by the landlord to clean up the apartment after the incident. “There were dead flies and insects all over the apartment.”

The parents entered guilty pleas Monday and were sentenced to a maximum of 16 months to four years in prison. The court also banned them from contacting their four surviving children, all under 17, until June 2038.

Saratoga County Judge James R Davis told the parents that the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s death were “the most horrific circumstances he has ever read,” The Times Union reported. “Your daughter suffered for a long time,” Davis said.

“Even the other children could see that he was suffering because of your neglect. Having children is a gift. You had several children, and they all suffered because of you.”

The harrowing case caught the attention of local figures, including State Senator James Tedisco, Assemblyman Simpson, and Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby; they are currently advocating for Jocelynn’s Law to increase the maximum prison sentence for criminally negligent homicide of a child to 20 years to life in prison.

“Joycelynn Dylewski deserved to have a happy childhood and grow up in a loving home and reach her full potential. What she endured as a 3-year-old at the hands of her parents is sickening and unimaginable. This was intentional criminal neglect of a child. Her death was caused not by a fit of rage and one or two acts of violence towards Joycelynn, but by pre-planned actions over a period of time. Even to the extent that she screamed out in pain. In a statement, Tedisco said, “The pain and suffering was caused by an illegal drug.” He stated that he was silenced.

“Joycelynn’s Law, named in memory of Joycelynn Dylewski, would change the law to ensure that those convicted of the criminally negligent death of a child are sentenced to 20 years in prison instead of the current maximum of 1 and 1/3 to 4 years, so the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime. The sentence these individuals receive under current law is not justice for Joycelynn.”

“A modicum of justice would be to strengthen the law and sentence the perpetrators of these crimes to 20 years to life imprisonment,” he added.