On March 19, 2013, a horrific tragedy unfolded in Springville, New York, when 16-year-old Dylan Schumaker was babysitting his girlfriend's two young children. When his girlfriend returned home that evening, she discovered 23-month-old Austin Smith lying lifeless on the floor.
The investigation revealed a disturbing sequence of events. According to prosecutors, Schumaker had brutally beaten the toddler multiple times, even placing a pillow over the child's face before delivering the fatal blows. The medical examiner's report confirmed that Austin died from severe brain trauma caused by repeated blunt force impacts to his head.
During the trial, Schumaker's story changed several times. He initially claimed the harm was accidental and expressed remorse, saying he loved Austin. But he eventually admitted to covering the child's head with a pillow and punching him repeatedly because the toddler's crying was bothering his baby brother.
The jury wasn't swayed by his shifting explanations. In December 2013, they found Schumaker guilty of second-degree murder. A month later, State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller sentenced him to the maximum penalty: 25 years to life in prison. The judge's decision was influenced by emotional letters from 13 people, including family members, who described Schumaker as a "manipulator and deceiver."
The case took another turn when a recorded jailhouse phone call surfaced in 2017. In it, Schumaker could be heard saying, "I'm a 16-year-old blond. Probably all I have to do is cry, and they're going to feel sorry for me." Despite this apparent attempt at manipulation, the original judge had seen through his act.
However, Schumaker's legal team successfully appealed the sentence. The New York Appellate Division acknowledged his young age, clean criminal record, and mental health struggles, ultimately reducing his sentence to 18 years to life. This change means he'll be eligible for parole much sooner than originally planned.
The case has become a flashpoint in debates about juvenile justice. Some advocates argue that young offenders deserve different treatment due to their developing brains and capacity for rehabilitation. Others contend that certain violent crimes are so heinous that age shouldn't shield someone from adult consequences, regardless of their youth.