Sherrilynn Hawkins is escorted out of a courtroom in the Montgomery County Courthouse after being sentenced to state prison in the murder of her son. Read more Vinny Vella / Staff

by Vinny Vella Published Oct. 20, 2025, 5:01 p.m. ET

A Montgomery County judge sharply rebuked a Dresher woman Monday before sentencing her to 25 to 50 years in state prison in the murder of her special-needs son, telling her she failed in her fundamental duties as a parent by allowing him to waste away to just 59 pounds.

During the hearing before Judge Wendy Rothstein, Sherrilynn Hawkins, 43, wept, calling Tylim Hatchett her “first love” and best friend while pleading guilty to third-degree murder, neglect and related crimes in his September 2024 death.

She described how the 21-year-old fought a

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