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NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Gray News) - Authorities in Pennsylvania say a mother has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with the death of her adult son. According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Sherrilynn Hawkins was sentenced by Judge Wendy Rothstein to 25 to 50 years in prison on Monday. Hawkins’ charges included third-degree murder, neglect of a dependent care person, theft by deception and conspiracy to theft by deception. Hawkins was arrested last December after her son, 21-year-old Tylim Hatchett, a care-dependent person, died Sept. 18, 2024. Montgomery County authorities said the investigation started after Upper Dublin police responded to an apartment complex in Dresher for a report of an unresponsive person that night. Officers arrived and found Hatchett severely emaciated and lying on the floor. Vernon Hatchett, Tylim Hatchett’s father, was at the scene and told officers he found his son on the floor, but officers noted he did not call 911 until about two hours later. Tylim Hatchett was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was conducted on Sept. 19, 2024, by a forensic pathologist at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Tylim Hatchett‘s cause of death was found to be complications of cerebral palsy in the setting of neglect, with his death ruled a homicide. Detectives said they found that from February 2024 to Sept. 18, 2024, Tylim Hatchett lost 31 pounds, dropping from 91 pounds to 59 pounds in about seven months. According to investigators, they found that Hawkins and Loretta Harris, a Philadelphia woman, were receiving money and submitting hours to Aveanna Healthcare to be compensated for time they were reportedly caring for Tylim Hatchett. However, investigators said they were not giving him proper care, leaving him alone at times 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. However, he was allegedly not receiving the proper medications during the reported care times. Authorities noted that throughout last September, Hawkins messaged Vernon Hatchett about their son’s deteriorating health, yet continued to leave him alone without providing him with food or medicine. An arrest warrant remains in effect for Vernon Hatchett on charges that include first-degree felony counts of neglect and abuse of care for a dependent person resulting in death. Authorities also charged Harris with related charges in the case during their initial investigation. Anyone with further information on Vernon Hatchett’s whereabouts is urged to contact Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386.
