Ballston Spa—Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) and Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Adirondack) today introduced in the state legislature new public safety legislation, “Joycelynn’s Law.”

“Joycelynn’s Law” (S.10670) would raise the penalty for criminally negligent homicide of a child from a Class E felony to a Class A-1 felony by establishing the crime of “Aggravated Endangering the Welfare of a Child.” The bill increases the maximum prison sentence for aggravated endangering the welfare of a child leading to death to 25 years to life and 5 to 15 years in prison for very serious and heinous cases of child endangerment where the child survives.

Joycelynn Dylewski of Corinth was just three years old when she lost her life last year due to a horrible case of child neglect.  Joycelynn had a severe lice infestation that lasted weeks, possibly months with no medical care, which developed into anemia. Her teeth were rotten and black, and she had received no medical care in 10 months. The prescription medication Clonidine was found in her system and given to her without a prescription.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office ruled Joycelynn’s death a homicide due to complications of “acute and chronic neglect” describing the girl as having matted hair and living in unclean conditions. The Judge in the case described the conditions Joycelynn was living in as “deplorable and unsuitable for any child to be living in.”

Unbelievably, Joycelynn’s parents, Matthew and Samantha Dylewski, were convicted of criminally negligent homicide in the February 2025 death of their daughter. Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby prosecuted Joycelynn’s parents to the full extent of the law and got the maximum sentence that’s currently available to judges which is 1 and 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

Under Tedisco and Simpson’s bill, aggravated endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death would become a Class A-1 felony carrying a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life.  The bill also addresses aggravated endangering the welfare of child that does not result in a child’s death by making it a Class C felony which would carry a maximum prison sentence of 5 to 15 years.

“Little Joycelynn Dylewski deserved a happy childhood filled with the love and caring she needed to grow up and reach her full potential. Instead, Joycelynn’s short life was tragically cut short and ended in a horror show perpetrated by the people who should protect, love and care for her the most, her parents. It’s painfully obvious that the law in cases such as Joycelynn’s does not go far enough and needs to be changed to not only address cases where a child dies but also increase penalties where there are survivors of such terrible abuse and neglect. That’s why I am sponsoring legislation with Assemblyman Matt Simpson and with the support of Saratoga District Attorney Eby and Saratoga County Sheriff Brown, “Joycelynn’s Law” named in Joycelynn Dylewski’s memory, that would change the law so those convicted of aggravated endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death get real prison time of 25 years to life instead of the current maximum of 1 and 1/3 to 4 years, and 5 to 15 years in serious cases where the child survives, so the sentence reflects the severity of the crime,” said Senator Jim Tedisco.

“The tragic loss of three-year-old Joycelynn exposes a critical gap in our criminal justice system. When chronic neglect ends a child’s life, the maximum penalty of roughly four years falls far short of true accountability. I strongly believe we must advance Joycelynn’s Law to reclassify this offense as a Class A felony, allowing sentences to deliver a more appropriate modicum of justice in line with the level of neglect that results in senseless loss of life. Such a change would honor Joycelynn’s memory but just as importantly, hold future offenders fully responsible and strengthen safeguards for every vulnerable child in New York. We cannot wait for another preventable tragedy before closing this loophole and matching punishment to the profound harm inflicted,” said Assemblyman Matt Simpson.

“Every child deserves to grow up safe from abuse, and every abuser should be held fully accountable for the harm they cause. I applaud Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblyman Matt Simpson for championing legislation that puts the safety of children first and strengthens our ability to protect our most vulnerable victims. By giving prosecutors and law enforcement stronger tools to hold offenders accountable, we can better protect children, deliver justice for victims, and help prevent future abuse. This is about standing with children, not abusers, and ensuring New York continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of every child,” said Brett Eby, Saratoga County District Attorney.

“I strongly support Senator Tedisco and Assemblyman Simpson’s legislation, ‘Joycelynn’s Law,’ which will help law enforcement to investigate serious case of child abuse and neglect and hopefully help save lives, provide justice for victims, and ensure that abusers receive the prison sentences they deserve for these very serious crimes and are kept out of the community so they cannot harm again,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Jeff Brown.