Dylan Schumaker is a convicted murderer who killed a toddler while babysitting him in 2013. He was 16 years old at the time of the crime and is currently serving a 25-year-to-life sentence in prison. Here are some facts and details about Dylan Schumaker and his case that you should know.
The Crime
On March 19, 2013, Dylan Schumaker was babysitting his girlfriend Ashlee Smith’s two sons, Austin and Brayden, at their home in Springville, New York. Smith was working at a restaurant and left the boys in Schumaker’s care. According to Schumaker, he became frustrated with Austin, who was almost two years old, because he would not stop crying. He admitted that he hit Austin several times with his fists and threw him onto the couch and the floor. He also said that he covered Austin’s mouth with his hand to stop him from making noise.
Schumaker did not call 911 or seek medical help for Austin until Smith came home around 11 p.m. He claimed that he thought Austin was sleeping and did not realize he was injured. He also lied to Smith and the police about what happened, saying that Austin fell off the couch and hit his head. However, an autopsy revealed that Austin died from blunt force trauma to the head and had multiple bruises and injuries all over his body. The medical examiner ruled his death as a homicide.
The Trial
Schumaker was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and went to trial in December 2013. His defense attorney argued that Schumaker did not intend to kill Austin and that he acted out of immaturity and impulsiveness. He also said that Schumaker was mentally ill and suffered from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The prosecution presented evidence and testimony that showed Schumaker’s violent and abusive behavior towards Austin and other children. They also played a recorded phone call between Schumaker and his mother, in which he confessed to killing Austin and said that he hated him. They also showed a video of Schumaker crying in court during the verdict, which they claimed was an act of manipulation and deception.
The jury deliberated for less than three hours and found Schumaker guilty of second-degree murder on December 9, 2013.
The Sentence
On January 10, 2014, Schumaker appeared before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller for sentencing. He apologized to Smith and her family and said that he loved Austin and did not mean to kill him. He also asked for mercy and forgiveness.
However, Justice Boller rejected Schumaker’s apology and called him a “manipulator and deceiver” who showed no remorse or empathy for his actions. He sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison, the maximum penalty for second-degree murder.
In February 2016, Schumaker appealed his conviction and sentence, arguing that they were excessive and unfair. However, the Court of Appeals upheld his conviction but reduced his sentence to 18 years to life, making him eligible for parole in 2031.
The Aftermath
Schumaker is currently serving his sentence at the Clinton Correctional Facility in New York. He is now 26 years old and has served nine years of his indeterminate sentence since his incarceration in 2014.
Smith and her family have expressed their grief and anger over Austin’s death and Schumaker’s sentence. They have also advocated for justice and awareness for child abuse victims. Smith has given birth to another son, who she named after Austin.
Austin’s death has also sparked a debate over the legal system’s treatment of juvenile offenders and the role of mental health in criminal cases. Some people have argued that Schumaker should have been tried as a juvenile or given a lighter sentence due to his age and mental condition. Others have argued that Schumaker deserved his punishment or even harsher consequences for his brutal crime.
Dylan Schumaker is a convicted murderer who killed a toddler while babysitting him in 2013. He was 16 years old at the time of the crime and is currently serving a 25-year-to-life sentence in prison. His case has raised questions about the nature of violence, justice, and responsibility in society.
Dylan Schumaker
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