Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Dublin Township Police Chief Francis Wheatley announced today a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Vernon Hatchett, 39, of Glenside.

Hatchett, who is also known as Khaliyl Ward, is charged with Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person, a first-degree felony, and other charges related to the death of his son, 21-year-old Tylim Hatchett, who died from neglect in September 2024.

According to the District Attorney’s announcement, Upper Dublin Police responded to an apartment complex in Dresher for the report of an unresponsive person. When officers arrived, they found Tylim Hatchett severely emaciated and lying on the floor. Vernon Hatchett was at the scene and told officers he found his son at 6:00pm, almost two hours prior to a 911 call on his behalf.

Tylim Hatchett was pronounced deceased at the scene, the report said.

An autopsy was conducted on September 19 by a forensic pathologist at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The cause of death was found to be complications of Cerebral Palsy in the setting of neglect and was ruled a homicide.

Upper Dublin Police Department and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau conducted a joint investigation which found that from February to September 18, Tylim Hatchett had lost 31 pounds, dropping from 90 pounds to 59 pounds in approximately seven months. The investigation also found that Hawkins and Harris both were receiving money and submitting hours to Aveanna Healthcare to be compensated for the time they were not caring for Tylim Hatchett.

A review of cell phone records found that Hawkins and Harris would “clock in” as a caretaker for Tylim Hatchett at times they were not actively with him, leaving him alone for upwards of 24 hours at a time. Between September 1 and September 18, Tylim Hatchett was left in the apartment by himself for 356 of the 425 hours, translating to 82% of the time within those 18 days, the District Attorney said.

Medical records for Tylim Hatchett found through Aveanna Healthcare listed several medications he was meant to take daily, prepared and provided by a caregiver as Tylim Hatchett was unable to self-medicate. The investigation revealed that Harris had not provided him any medications when she visited.

Throughout September, Hawkins messaged Vernon Hatchett multiple times about their son’s deteriorating health yet continued to leave him alone without providing him food or medicine.

On December 31, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Vernon Hatchett.

The District Attorney is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Hatchett.

He is described as a 5’10” black male weighing 190 pounds. If anyone sees him, do not approach him and call 911. For tips on his whereabouts, call Montgomery County Det. James Lavin at 484-674-6527 or Upper Dublin Police Det. Brian Devlin at 215-646-2101.

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