Two parents in Florida have been sentenced to over a decade in prison after the death of their 11-month-old daughter, who had not been fed for days and weighed just 13 pounds at the time of her passing.
A judge sentenced 27-year-old Margaret Elizabeth Lehman to 13 years in prison and 30-year-old Mark Edward Brittian Jr. to 13 years and three months. Both pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of their daughter, Marcelyn Brittian.
Authorities responded to a call about an unresponsive infant early in the morning on September 2, 2021. Paramedics transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
An officer who accompanied the child to the hospital observed that she was covered in dirt and dried feces. Her hands and feet were so dirty that the skin was not visible. Severe bruising was found on her lower back and buttocks, along with sores on her upper thighs. Her eyes and abdomen appeared sunken, and medical professionals determined that she weighed only 13 pounds extremely underweight for her age. The autopsy confirmed she had not eaten in two or three days.
Law enforcement found the family home in deplorable condition. The responding officer reported an overwhelming stench of garbage and rotting food upon entering. The home was described as appearing similar to those seen in hoarding situations. The playpen where the child had apparently been sleeping contained no bedding.
During questioning, Lehman and Brittian claimed their daughter was happy and healthy, though they admitted she had been running a fever and had little appetite in the days before her death. Lehman stated that Brittian rarely helped feed or change their daughter’s diapers. Brittian later tested positive for cocaine.
Another child in the home was removed from the household and placed in the custody of family members.
Both parents now face significant time behind bars for the neglect and suffering that led to the death of their child.
