Back in September 2024, authorities found Tylim Hatchett, a 21-year-old man with cerebral palsy, dead on his apartment floor. He only weighed 59 pounds, with investigations later revealing that starvation had contributed to his death other than his condition. Police arrested and charged Hatchett's caregiver Loretta Harris and Hatchett's mother, Sherrilynn Hawkins, with neglect. Police issued an arrest warrant for Hatchett's father, Vernon.
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Upper Dublin Police discovered Tylym Hatchett's body on September 18, 2024, in his Dresher apartment in Pennsylvania. Vernon Hatchett had called 911 after he discovered his son's body, with police pronouncing Tylim Hatchett dead at the scene.
According to a news release issued by Kevin R. Steele's District Attorney's Office, an autopsy revealed that Tylim's cause of death was a complication of cerebral palsy in the setting of neglect. Authorities ruled his death a homicide. Further investigation conducted by the Upper Dublin Police and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau found that Tylim Hatchet lost 31 pounds in seven months.
Allegations
During this time, both Hawkins and Harris were receiving money from Aveanna Healthcare for the time "they were not caring for Tylim Hatchett." Due to Tylim's condition, he needed to take a list of medications he couldn't take by himself. According to Steele, Harris failed to provide any medications to Hatchett during her visits.
"Medical records for Tylim Hatchett found through Aveanna Healthcare listed several medications he was meant to take daily, prepared and provided by a caregiver as Tylim Hatchett was unable to self-medicate. The investigation revealed that Harris had not provided him any medications when she visited."
Steele calculates that, from September 1 to September 18, 2024, Tylim Hatchett spent 82% percent of the time alone, totaling 356 hours.
Hawkins then, reportedly, would message Vernon Hatchett, concerned about their son's "deteriorating health." However, Tylim continued to be left alone without food or medicine.
Charges
Loretta Haris, Sherrilynn Hawkins, and Vernon Hatchett were all charged with neglect of a care-dependent person. Authorities charged Hawkins with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, theft by deception, and other unspecified related charges. Authorities also charged Vernon with involuntary manslaughter and Harris with theft by deception. Vernon is yet to be arrested and is currently wanted by authorities.
Kevin R. Steele denounced Tylim's family, claiming they starved him to death. "This is an individual who couldn't care for himself and was totally dependent upon care. He's a care-dependent person and they starved him to death," Steele said, according to the New York Post. "They just didn't provide for him during this period of time."
He would also address the allegations against Harris and Hawkins who were taking money from Aveanna Healthcare without caring for Tylim. "They're taking money that they're not doing the work for. These were intentional omissions that she was making through this period of time," Steele said. "[Hawkins] had a duty as a parent, [Harris] had a duty as a contracted employee, she was receiving benefits for this, and she let him die."
