Teen given max sentence for toddler’s death

SPRINGVILLE, NY — A deeply saddening criminal case from 2013 has continued to resonate with many, as 17-year-old Dylan Schumaker was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison following a second-degree murder conviction for the death of 23-month-old Austin Smith.

This case brought national attention due to the emotional courtroom scenes, the youth of the defendant, and the heartbreaking loss of a young life.

What Happened?

On March 19, 2013, Dylan Schumaker was babysitting Austin Smith and his younger brother while the children’s mother—Schumaker’s girlfriend—was at work. According to court testimony, Schumaker became frustrated while trying to care for the children and inflicted serious head trauma to Austin. Tragically, the toddler passed away due to his injuries.

Medical experts testified that the child suffered blunt force trauma to the head, and prosecutors argued that the injuries were consistent with intentional harm, not an accident. The case was prosecuted as a violent felony under New York law.

Trial and Sentencing

Following a jury trial, Schumaker was found guilty of second-degree murder. The prosecution emphasized the severity of the child’s injuries and presented evidence of the defendant’s attempts to cover up the incident. At the sentencing hearing, Schumaker appeared visibly emotional—a moment that was captured on video and widely shared online.

State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, who presided over the case, addressed the gravity of the offense during sentencing. He noted that while Schumaker was still a teenager, the severity of the act and its irreversible consequences warranted the maximum penalty allowed under state law: 25 years to life in prison.