Montco Mother Faces 50 Years In Prison For Neglected Son's Death

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — The mother of a 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the September 2024 death of her care-dependent son in Upper Dublin Township, while authorities have increased the reward to find his father.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said that Sherrilynn Hawkins pled guilty Monday to Third-Degree Murder, Neglect of a Dependent Care Person, Theft by Deception, and Conspiracy to Theft by Deception.

She was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison, authorities said.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele released a new wanted poster offering $7,500 for information leading to the arrest of Vernon Hatchett, 40, who is charged with multiple felonies related to the death of his son, 21-year-old Tylim Hatchett. See flyer below

Tylim Hatchett died from neglect on Sept. 18, 2024, weighing just 59 pounds.

Hatchett's cause of death was determined in an autopsy by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to be from complications of cerebral palsy in the setting of neglect. It was ruled a homicide.

An investigation determined that he had lost 31 pounds from February to Sept. 18, going from 91 pounds to 59 pounds. Investigators also said that Tylim Hatchett was left alone in the apartment for 356 of 425 hours between Sept. 1 and Sept. Sept 18.

On Dec. 31, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Vernon Hatchett on two first-degree felony counts of Neglect of Care Dependent Person Resulting in Death, Abuse of Care Dependent Person for Whom He is Responsible, and Conspiracy to Commit Involuntary Manslaughter.

Anyone who sees Hatchett should not approach him and call 911 immediately. Anyone with tips on Hatchett’s whereabouts should call Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386 or Upper Dublin Police at 215-646-2101.

(Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)