NEW YORK — A New York couple has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the heartbreaking death of their three-year-old daughter, who endured extreme neglect, including a severe lice infestation, rotting black teeth, and months without proper medical care.

Matthew Dylewski, 34, and Samantha Dylewski, 33, admitted responsibility for the conditions that led to their young daughter’s death. Authorities discovered the child living in a filthy, trash-filled apartment when they responded to the scene. The toddler had reportedly gone without adequate medical attention for extended periods, contributing to her deteriorating health.

Prosecutors alleged the child was also given medication that was never prescribed to her. The horrific living conditions and lack of care were detailed in court proceedings, painting a devastating picture of prolonged suffering for the young victim.

On Thursday, both parents received the maximum sentence of 16 months to 4 years in prison. They were also ordered to have no contact with their surviving children until 2038, reflecting the severity of the neglect charges and the court’s determination to protect the other children.

The case has shocked the community and highlighted failures in recognizing and intervening in cases of severe child neglect. Child welfare authorities and investigators uncovered the extent of the deprivation only after the child’s death, prompting broader questions about systemic oversight.

The couple’s guilty pleas spared the family a full trial but ensured they face accountability for the tragic loss of their daughter, whose short life was marked by unimaginable hardship.

This sentencing brings a measure of justice for the innocent child, though the pain of her suffering and death will remain with loved ones and the community for years to come.