Pennsylvania mom of 'severely emaciated' 21-year-old who weighed just 59lbs when he starved to death learns fate

Sherilynn Hawkins will spend decades in prison for the death of her 21-year-old son, who was care dependent and weighed just 59 pounds when he died, as authorities continue searching for his father

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A Pennsylvania mother will spend decades behind bars for the death of her 21-year-old son as police continue searching for his father, who also faces multiple felony charges.

Sherilynn Hawkins pled guilty to third-degree murder, neglect of a dependent care person, theft by deception and conspiracy to theft by deception in relation to the death of her son Tylim Hatchett, on Monday. Tylim was blind, non verbal and had cerebral palsy. He died from neglect and starvation.

Police were deployed to an apartment complex in Dresher, Montgomery County at around 7:50pm on September 18, 2024 following a report of an unresponsive person. Officers said they found Tylim "severely emaciated and lying on the floor."

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His father, Vernon Hatchett, was at the scene at the time. He told officers that he'd found his son at around 6pm, nearly two hours before calling 911, police said.

Tylim was declared dead at the scene. He weighed just 59 pounds at the time of his death, according to prosecutors.

A forensic pathologist at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined that Tylim died from complications of cerebral palsy in the setting of neglect, and his death was ruled a homicide. Between February 2024 to September 2024, the 21-year-old lost 31 pounds, dropping from 91 pounds to 59 pounds in about seven months, detectives said.

Investigators found that Hawkins and Loretta Harris, a Philadelphia woman, had been logging hours to Aveanna Healthcare and were receiving money for the time they were reportedly caring for Tylim. However, they were accused of failing to provide proper care.

Tylim was left alone for upwards of 24 hours at a time, according to investigators. He was left in the apartment by himself for 356 of the 425 hours between September 1 and September 18, translating to 82% of the time within those 18 days.

He was supposed to be taking several medications daily, according to medical records found through Aveanna Healthcare. Tylim was unable to self-medicate, so the medications were supposed to be prepared and given by a caregiver. However, he was allegedly not receiving the proper medication.

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Records show Hawkins was paid $36,383 in 2024 and Harris $12,789, according to the affidavit. Harris entered open guilty pleas last month to three felonies, including abuse of a care-dependent person. She is scheduled to be sentenced in December.

Hawkins was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison on Monday, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. She allegedly messaged Vernon Hatchett multiple times in September 2024 about their son's deteriorating health, but failed to provide the care he required to live.

Authorities are still searching for Vernon Hatchett, 40, who is wanted for the neglect of a care-dependent person resulting in the death of his son. Montgomery County officials are offering $7,500 for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Montgomery County Detectives at 610-278-3386. Officials have warned that he is considered to be dangerous.

"We were not able to arrest him [Monday]," Montgomery County D.A. Kevin Steele said. "He's wanted. He knows he's wanted. And based on his past, he is considered a dangerous individual."