A Florida couple has been sentenced to prison after their 11 month old daughter died from severe malnutrition. The case, which dates back to September 2021, was described by authorities as a horrific instance of neglect and cruelty.
Leesburg police officers were called to the couple’s home after reports that their infant daughter was unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers found the house in terrible condition, with strong odours of rotting food and garbage throughout the property. The child was discovered in a dirty playpen, covered in dirt and dried faeces. First responders attempted to save her life, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators questioned the parents, who insisted their 11 month old daughter and their three year old child were both happy and healthy. However, a medical examiner later confirmed the baby had not eaten for two or three days before her death and was suffering from extreme malnutrition.
The parents, Margaret Lehman, aged 27, and Mark Edward Brittian Jr., aged 30, were arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter. Their surviving child was placed in the care of relatives.
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | September 2021 |
| Location | Leesburg, Florida |
| Victim | Marcelyn Brittian, 11 months old |
| Parents Charged | Margaret Lehman (27), Mark Edward Brittian Jr. (30) |
| Cause of Death | Severe malnutrition, starvation |
| Sentence | Lehman – 13 years, Brittian – 13.25 years |
On Monday, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office confirmed that Lehman and Brittian had been found guilty in the tragic death of their daughter, Marcelyn Brittian. The judge sentenced Lehman to 13 years in prison, while Brittian received 13 years and three months.
State Attorney Bill Gladson condemned the couple’s actions, stating, “This is disgusting. The most vulnerable in our society have been victimised by the most evil. At least in prison, they will both receive food, unlike their innocent child.”
