An Upper Dublin Township woman has been sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison after admitting she neglected her 21-year-old son, Tylim Hatchett, who had cerebral palsy and died from neglect in September 2024.
Sherrilynn Hawkins, 43, of the Dresher section of Upper Dublin, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to third-degree murder, neglect of a care-dependent person, theft by deception, and conspiracy. Judge Wendy G. Rothstein accepted the plea and imposed the sentence as part of an agreement.
Prosecutors said Tylim, who was blind, nonverbal, and unable to walk, was left alone for long stretches of time and severely malnourished. An autopsy determined his death resulted from complications of cerebral palsy “in the setting of neglect” and ruled it a homicide.
Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. called the case “horrific,” saying Hawkins “failed in the fundamentals of being a human being by allowing this to happen.”
Defense attorney Joseph Schultz said Hawkins was overwhelmed by the demands of caring for her son but acknowledged she must live with the consequences of her actions.
Two others were charged in connection with the case. Loretta Harris, 46, of Philadelphia, a home health aide, previously pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person and related theft charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Authorities are still searching for Vernon Hatchett, 40, of Glenside, Tylim’s father, who remains wanted on charges including neglect of a care-dependent person resulting in death and conspiracy to commit involuntary manslaughter. A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Anyone who sees Hatchett should not approach him and should immediately call 911, or contact Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386 or Upper Dublin Police at 215-646-2101.
