N.Y. lawmakers call for change after dad gets maximum of 4 years for toddler’s neglect death

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (TCN) -- A father has been handed the maximum sentenced of 16 months to four years in state prison in connection with the neglect death of his toddler daughter.

Joycelynn Dylewski died at age 3 on Feb. 19, 2025, the Times Union reports. She was brought to the hospital because she was struggling to breathe and died from acute, chronic neglect, according to the sheriff’s office. At the time of her death, she was anemic and infested with lice, and her teeth were black from rot. She was found to have the blood pressure medication clonidine in her system even though she had not been prescribed the medication.

Medical providers at the hospital found insects and lice on the child’s face, and a dead cockroach fell out when they removed her hat, WTEN reports. She had not been to a doctor in 10 months, but the other four children in the home reportedly received necessary medical care.

After the child’s death, an investigation began into her parents, 34-year-old Matthew Dylewski and 33-year-old Samantha Dylewski. The Times Union reports the home, which was eventually condemned, was full of flies, lice, and rotting food. The kitchen sink was full of sludge and an investigator’s boots stuck to the floor. An area inspector called it one of the worst homes he had ever seen.

Matthew and Samantha Dylewski were charged following the investigation and pleaded guilty in March to criminally negligent homicide. Following the charges, they lost custody of their other children, per the Times Union.

WTEN reports Samantha Dylewski was sentenced to 16 months to four years in state prison on June 8. Orders of protection were issued for the Dylewskis’ children and they are not allowed to have contact with them until 2038.  

At his sentencing on June 22, Matthew Dylewski said, “I totally wish that didn’t happen. I wish it was me that died instead of my daughter,” WAMC reports. 

In response, Saratoga County Judge James Davis said, “Your entire job was to keep her safe. She was 3 years old. And you failed in the most horrific way. She was completely reliant upon you. And you failed as a parent. As you’ve stated, you will have to live with this loss for the rest of your life. This was completely preventable. And it’s unconscionable.”

New York state lawmakers are calling for change and longer sentences for those found guilty of criminally negligent homicide. In a press release from New York State Sen. James Tedisco, he and two other lawmakers are calling for “Joycelynn’s Law.” 

In part, his statement reads, “‘Joycelynn’s Law,’ named in Joycelynn Dylewski’s memory, would change the law so those convicted of criminally negligent homicide of a child get real prison time of 20 years to life instead of the current maximum of 1 1/3 to four years, so the sentence reflects the severity of the crime. The sentence these individuals got under the current law is not justice for Joycelynn. A modicum of justice would be to strengthen the law and send perpetrators of these crimes to prison for 20 years to life.”

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