A Florida couple will serve lengthy prison sentences in connection with the death of their 11-month-old daughter, who was found severely malnourished and in a dirty playpen covered in dried feces.
Margaret Lehman, 27, and Mark Brittian Jr., 30, were sentenced on March 17th to 13 years and 13 1/4 years in prison, respectively, for the aggravated manslaughter of their daughter, Marcelyn Brittian.
The Leesburg Police Department responded to the couple’s home in September 2021 after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, officers described the residence as being in “deplorable conditions with a heavy odor of garbage and rotting food throughout the house.”
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Marcelyn Brittian was found deceased in a dirty playpen, “covered in dirt and dried feces.” Despite attempts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
During questioning, Lehman and Brittian Jr. claimed that Marcelyn and their 3-year-old child were “happy and healthy.” However, further investigation revealed that Brittian Jr. had allegedly made phone calls to two other individuals 15 minutes before contacting law enforcement.
Medical examiners determined that the 11-month-old had likely not eaten for two to three days and was “extremely malnourished.” The couple was arrested, and their 3-year-old child was taken into custody by family members.
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State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson expressed outrage at the case, stating, “This is disgusting. The most vulnerable of our society has been victimized by the most evil. At least in prison, they’ll both receive food, unlike their innocent children.”
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