John Jefferson
From left to right: Vernon Hatchett, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Loretta Harris (Montgomery County DA’s Office)
The parents and caregiver of a 21-year-old in Pennsylvania with cerebral palsy are facing multiple felonies after the victim was found starved to death — weighing only 59 pounds — inside of his family home earlier this year.
The victim’s mother, 42-year-old Sherrilynn Hawkins, his father, 39-year-old Vernon Hatchett, and his caregiver, Loretta Harris, have all been charged with felony neglect of a care-dependent person in the horrific death of Tylim Hatchett, authorities announced.
Hawkins is also charged with one count each of first-degree murder, third-degree murder, and theft by deception. Hatchett is facing additional charges of involuntary manslaughter while Harris was charged with theft by deception.
According to a joint news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Upper Dublin Township Police Department, officers at about 7:50 p.m. on Sept. 18 responded to an apartment complex in Dresher, Pennsylvania, regarding a report of an unresponsive person. Upon arriving at the address, first responders said they found Tylim Hatchett “severely emaciated and lying on the floor.”
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s father was at the apartment and allegedly told officers that he’d found his son about two hours before he got around to calling 911.
A subsequent autopsy performed by a forensic pathologist at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined that the cause of death was complications due to cerebral palsy in the setting of neglect. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide.
Police, with the assistance of the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, conducted an investigation and found that in February 2024, Tylim Hatchett weighed 91 pounds, meaning he had lost 31 pounds — more than one-third of his total body weight — over the course of just seven months.
Investigators also found evidence showing that Hawkins and Harris were both submitting hours and receiving money to Aveanna Healthcare to be compensated for their time, even though the women were not actually caring for the victim.
“A review of cell phone records found that Hawkins and Harris would ‘clock in’ as a caretaker for Tylim Hatchett at times they were not actively with him, leaving him alone for upwards of 24 hours at a time,” the release states. “Between Sept. 1, 2024, and Sept. 18, 2024, Tylim Hatchett was left in the apartment by himself for 356 of the 425 hours, translating to 82% of the time within those 18 days.”
According to authorities, Tylim Hatchett’s medical records also listed several medications he was supposed to take every day. Those medications needed to be prepared and provided by a caregiver as the victim was “unable to self-medicate.” However, investigators said that Harris had not given Tylim Hatchett any medications at all when she visited.
The victim’s parents also appeared to be well aware of the danger their son was in.
“Throughout September, Hawkins messaged Vernon Hatchett multiple times about their son’s deteriorating health yet continued to leave him alone without providing him food or medicine,” the release states.
Hawkins appeared for her arraignment on Tuesday. She is currently scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 10. Harris also appeared for her arraignment on Tuesday while a warrant was issued for Hatchett’s arrest.
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