The parents of a young girl from upstate New York, who died amidst horrific neglect, are now seeking donations shortly after her passing.
Samantha Dilewski, 33, and Matthew Dilewski, 34, recently received prison sentences of up to four years for the tragic death of their three-year-old daughter, Joycelyn Ann Dilewski. She was found deceased on February 19, 2025, in a filthy apartment, with visible signs of distress, like rotten teeth and insects on her face.
The very next day, Samantha took to Facebook to launch a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to gather funds for what she described as “a beautiful farewell” for her daughter.
On February 20, she expressed her grief in a post, saying, “I can’t stand the fact that mommy wants her baby girl back!” Meanwhile, a fundraising effort initiated by Joycelyn’s grandmother has since been halted.
In a comment from her husband’s account below the donation link, Samantha openly acknowledged their legal troubles but argued it was solely due to “our goddamn house not being pristine.”
She continued, “Anyone who knows us knows Joycelyn was always with us, and she had us and her brothers wrapped around her little finger,” while defending their parenting.
Samantha also mentioned the importance of mourning, urging people to focus on their own families, saying, “We’ve had to see our beautiful princess for the last time.” There was a rather pointed tone in her message, hinting at the judgment they faced.
Joycelyn’s severe lice issue reportedly led to her being diagnosed with anemia, which caused damage to her heart and organs. Sheriff Jeffrey Brown from Saratoga County noted that she also had clonidine, a medication for blood pressure, in her system.
Her death was classified as a homicide due to a combination of these factors.
Disturbing images showed the chaotic conditions of the family’s home, filled with clutter and debris to the extent that authorities condemned the property. Reports noted a cockroach was found crawling out of Joycelyn’s winter hat when it was removed by officials, alongside descriptions of her teeth being “rotted and blackened.”
The parents earlier pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, resulting in their sentences this month, which imposed a maximum of four years and a minimum of 16 months in prison.
During the sentencing, Judge James Davis made a poignant remark to Matthew Dylewski, stating, “She was only three years old, and you failed her in the most horrifying way.” He emphasized that Joycelyn was fully reliant on them, calling the circumstances “completely preventable and unconscionable.”
Samantha was sentenced on June 8. Following the conviction, both parents are barred from contacting their four surviving children until 2038.
Samantha reflected on her responsibilities, saying at the sentencing, “As their mother, it was my duty to protect them from harm, and I failed.”
