Parents Charged In Neglect-Related Death Of 21-Year-Old Son In Montco

Updated: 2:35 p.m. Tuesday

UPPER DUBLIN TOWNSHIP, PA —The parents of a 21-year-old man were charged Tuesday along with a caretaker in the death of their care-dependent son who authorities said neglected him and left him alone for hours in an apartment.

Tylim Hatchett was found severely emaciated and lying on the floor when Upper Dublin Police arrived at 7:50 p.m. on Sept. 18. He was declared dead at the scene, nearly two hours after 911 was called by his father, who told police he found his son unresponsive at 6 p.m.

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 Tuesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Dublin Township Police Chief Francis Wheatley announced the arrest of his mother, Sherrilynn Hawkins, 42, of Dresher, and Loretta Harris, 45, of Philadelphia, a caretaker.

They also issued an arrest warrant for his father, Vernon Hatchett, 39, of Glenside.

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.

The investigation also found that Hawkins and Harris both were receiving money and submitting hours to Aveanna Healthcare to be compensated for the time they were not caring for Tylim.

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.

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.

Authorities said that Harris did not provide Tylim with any medications when she was there.

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, authorities said.

All three were charged with the neglect of a care-dependent person.

Hawkins faces first-degree and third-degree murder charges, theft by deception, and related charges.

Vernon Hatchett is also charged with involuntary manslaughter while Harris is also charged with theft by deception.

Hawkins was arraigned on Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10.

Harris was also scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday. There is an active warrant out for Vernon Hatchett’s arrest, authorities said.

(Photos by Montgomery County District Attorney's Office) Sherrilynn Hawkins

Vernon Hatchett