A couple from Corinth, New York, has been sentenced to up to four years in prison for the neglectful death of their 3-year-old daughter, Joycelynn Ann Dylewski, who was found in deplorable conditions inside the family’s hoarded apartment.

Samantha Dylewski and Matthew Dylewski were convicted in the heartbreaking case after authorities discovered the toddler suffering from severe neglect. Joycelynn was lice-infested, had bugs crawling on her face, and showed signs of rotting teeth when she died on February 19, 2025.

Photos circulating in connection with the case show the smiling toddler in a bright red dress with a matching bow, alongside family pictures and shocking images of the couple’s severely cluttered and trash-filled apartment.

In a particularly callous detail, the parents reportedly asked for money the very day after their daughter’s death, further highlighting the depth of their alleged indifference.

Prosecutors described the living conditions as “deplorable,” noting that the child had been living amidst extreme hoarding with little to no proper care, hygiene, or medical attention. The apartment was reportedly filled with garbage, making it nearly uninhabitable.

The couple’s sentencing this month brings a measure of justice for Joycelynn, though many in the community feel the punishment does not fully reflect the severity of the neglect. Child welfare advocates have used the case to call for stronger interventions in situations involving hoarding and child endangerment.

Upstate New York authorities emphasized that signs of neglect were tragically missed or unaddressed before it was too late. The death of little Joycelynn has sparked renewed conversations about the responsibilities of parents and the role of social services in protecting vulnerable children.

The Dylewskis remain behind bars as they serve their sentences. Their surviving children, if any, are believed to be in protective custody.

This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers children can face in environments plagued by hoarding and untreated mental health issues.