Police: Parents charged after Montgomery County man with cerebral palsy starved to death

This article originally appeared on nbcphiladelphia.com, 12/31/2024

Law enforcement officials in Montgomery County have charged the parents — along with a caregiver — of a 21-year-old man, who had cerebral palsy, after he died of starvation in September.

Law enforcement officials, on Tuesday, announced charges against the parents and a former caregiver of a 21-year-old man with cerebral palsy after he died of starvation due to neglect.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Upper Dublin Township Police Chief Francis Wheatley announced the arrests of Sherrilynn Hawkins, 42, of Dresher, and Loretta Harris, 45, of Philadelphia for their alleged roles in the death of Hawkins’ son, Tylim Hatchett, 21, who died on Sept. 18, 2024.

Officials said the victim’s father, Vernon Hatchett, 39, of Glenside, has also been charged in this case, though he remains at-large.

All three have been charged with neglect following the death of Tylim Hatchett, who Steele said was blind, non-verbal and used a wheelchair in addition to having cerebral palsy.

Hawkins, the victim’s mother, officials said, has been charged with murder, theft by deception and related offenses while, Vernon Hatchett has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Harris, officials said, has also been charged with theft by deception.

According to police, the incident that led to these charges unfolded at about 7:50 p.m. on Sept. 18, when Upper Dublin police officials were called to an apartment complex in Dresher on a report of an unresponsive person.