A 3-Year-Old Girl Was Found Dead After Investigators Say She Had Been Living In Horrific Conditions For Months — But The One Detail Authorities Believe Revealed Just How Long The Suffering Had Gone Unnoticed Is Now Breaking Hearts Across The Country

A New York couple was sentenced for their roles in the death of their 3-year-old daughter, whom authorities say died from severe neglect.

Matthew and Samantha Dylewski pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in connection with the 2025 death of their daughter Joycelynn, according to reports from CBS 6, WNYT and News10 ABC. They each received the maximum prison sentence of 16 months to four years.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the death of the couple’s 3-year-old after responding to their home in Corinth last February after it was reported that she was unable to breathe, according to CBS 6. The girl was taken to the hospital, where she died, per the outlet.

Joycelynn’s death was later ruled a homicide by the sheriff’s office due to complications of “acute and chronic neglect,” per a statement from New York State Senator Jim Tedisco. According to investigators, the girl was found with severely matted hair and living in unsanitary conditions.

Authorities said she suffered from a severe lice infestation that went untreated for weeks, and possibly months, ultimately leading to anemia, the statement reads.

Investigators also found that her teeth were severely decayed and that she had not received medical care in the 10 months before her death. Additionally, authorities said the prescription medication clonidine was found in her system despite not having been prescribed to her, per the statement.

The judge in the case described the conditions of the home as “deplorable and unsuitable for any child to be living in,” according to the statement.

Matthew and Samantha, who share four other children, were arrested and initially charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, News 10 reported. But the charge was later dropped.

The father spoke in court at his sentencing on Monday, June 22, saying, “I wish it was me that died to this day,” per CBS 6.

The judge, however, emphasized the parents’ responsibility to care for and protect their daughter.

“Your entire job and it’s a gift to have a child. Your entire job was to keep her safe,” the judge said, WNYT reported.

Sen. Testico and other local lawmakers are now calling for new state legislation, called “Joycelynn’s Law,” that would increase the maximum prison sentence for those convicted of criminally negligent homicide of a child to 20 years to life.