LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida couple was sentenced to prison Monday after their 11-month-old daughter starved more than three years ago.
In September 2021, Leesburg police officers were called to the couple’s home after their 11-month-old daughter was reported not to respond.
Officials said the couple’s home was in a “deplorable situation where there was a severe smell of garbage and decayed food inside the house.”
Law enforcement officials found that 11 months old responses were unresponsive with dirty playpen.
The baby was covered in dirt and dry feces. The first responder attempted life-saving measures for the child, but was not successful. It was declared that the baby had passed away.
The body found at Weedon Preserve has been identified as missing a St. Pete teen
Investigators questioned the couple who said the victim and their three-year-old were happy and healthy.
The health examination room said the baby was very malnourished as he had not eaten for about 2-3 days.
Margaret Lehman, 27, and Mark Edward Britin Jr., 30, were arrested for negligence of a child and charged with aggravated manslaughter. Their other children were placed in the care of the family.
On Monday, the fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office said Lehman and Britian were found guilty of the tragic death of their 11-month-old daughter, Martlin Blitian.
The judge sentenced Lehman to 13 years in prison, while Britian to 13.25 years in prison.
“This is disgusting. The most vulnerable people in our society are the most vulnerable. At least in prison, they both receive food, unlike innocent children.”
