PA - Mother Sherrilynn Hawkins, Father Vernon Hatchett, Caregiver charged - 21-year-old w/Cerebral Palsy dies of starvation - Montgomery Sept 2024

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CBS News Philadelphia online December 31, 2024 article by Joe Brandt, Adam Fox, Tom Gardiner, Josh Sanders - entitled ‘Mother, father and caregiver charged after Pennsylvania 21-year-old with cerebral palsy dies of starvation’:


Of note from the article:

Tylim Hatchett, a wheelchair-bound resident of the Dresher section of Upper Dublin Township, died in September 2024.

A months long investigation led to the charges announced today.

Sherrilynn Hawkins (Hatchett’s mother), father Vernon Hatchett, and caregiver Loretta Harris are each charged with neglect of a care-dependent person. Hawkins also faces charges of first-degree and third-degree murder; Hatchett is also charged with involuntary manslaughter; Harris faces a charge of theft by deception.

Hawkins and Harris were receiving benefit monies - from a yet to be identified source - to care for Tylim.

Tylim was 21 years old and was blind and deaf, and suffered from cerebral palsy.

SMH. This poor dear child. :( MOO
 
Hatchett, Tylim’s father, is charged with Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person, Involuntary Manslaughter, and related charges. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Hatchett.
Loretta Harris, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Vernon HatchettLoretta Harris, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Vernon Hatchett

On September 18, 2024, Upper Dublin Police responded to a report of an unresponsive individual at an apartment complex in Dresher. Upon arrival, officers found Tylim Hatchett severely emaciated and lying on the floor. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators learned that Hatchett’s father, Vernon, discovered his son’s condition almost two hours before calling 911.

An autopsy conducted on September 19, 2024, by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined that Tylim died from complications of Cerebral Palsy in the context of neglect. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The investigation, conducted by the Upper Dublin Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, revealed a troubling pattern of neglect. Between February and September 2024, Tylim’s weight dropped from 91 pounds to 59 pounds—a loss of 31 pounds in seven months. During the 18 days leading up to his death, Tylim was left alone in the apartment for 356 of 425 hours, approximately 82% of the time.

Hawkins and Harris, who were compensated through Aveanna Healthcare for caregiving, were found to have submitted falsified hours, claiming to care for Tylim while leaving him alone for extended periods. Cell phone records confirmed that the caregivers were often not present during the times they claimed to be working. Additionally, Harris failed to provide Tylim with the essential medications required by his medical care plan.

Evidence included messages exchanged between Hawkins and Hatchett discussing Tylim’s deteriorating health. Despite their awareness of his condition, both failed to intervene or provide the necessary care.

Hawkins was arraigned on December 31, 2024, by Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2025. Harris was arraigned on Tuesday while authorities continue their search for Vernon Hatchett.
3 Charged In Neglect, Starving Death Of Man With Cerebral Palsy In Pennsylvania :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
 
Hatchett, Tylim’s father, is charged with Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person, Involuntary Manslaughter, and related charges. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Hatchett.
Loretta Harris, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Vernon HatchettLoretta Harris, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Vernon Hatchett

On September 18, 2024, Upper Dublin Police responded to a report of an unresponsive individual at an apartment complex in Dresher. Upon arrival, officers found Tylim Hatchett severely emaciated and lying on the floor. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators learned that Hatchett’s father, Vernon, discovered his son’s condition almost two hours before calling 911.

An autopsy conducted on September 19, 2024, by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined that Tylim died from complications of Cerebral Palsy in the context of neglect. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The investigation, conducted by the Upper Dublin Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, revealed a troubling pattern of neglect. Between February and September 2024, Tylim’s weight dropped from 91 pounds to 59 pounds—a loss of 31 pounds in seven months. During the 18 days leading up to his death, Tylim was left alone in the apartment for 356 of 425 hours, approximately 82% of the time.

Hawkins and Harris, who were compensated through Aveanna Healthcare for caregiving, were found to have submitted falsified hours, claiming to care for Tylim while leaving him alone for extended periods. Cell phone records confirmed that the caregivers were often not present during the times they claimed to be working. Additionally, Harris failed to provide Tylim with the essential medications required by his medical care plan.

Evidence included messages exchanged between Hawkins and Hatchett discussing Tylim’s deteriorating health. Despite their awareness of his condition, both failed to intervene or provide the necessary care.

Hawkins was arraigned on December 31, 2024, by Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2025. Harris was arraigned on Tuesday while authorities continue their search for Vernon Hatchett.
3 Charged In Neglect, Starving Death Of Man With Cerebral Palsy In Pennsylvania :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
This entire case is unconscionable and disturbing to say the least.

RSBBMFF:

Additionally, Harris failed to provide Tylim with the essential medications required by his medical care plan.

I hope authorities have or are attempting to determine what Loretta Harris (the caregiver) was doing with the ‘essential medications’ not given to Tylim. And wonder what those medications/ drugs were? Was she employed by Aveanna Healthcare?

Wager to believe those medications were not simply being discarded? Perhaps other charges are still yet to come. E.g.: unauthorized sale, transfer, or distribution of a prescription medication.

And wonder if any investigation is underway into Aveanna Healthcare? What were they monitoring and how? SMH. MOO
 

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