OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – An Oakland County woman who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges for the deaths of her son and 7-month-old granddaughter in November 2014 was sentenced Thursday.
Sylvia Majewska, of Addison Township, originally was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 29-year-old Daryne Gailey and his 7-month-old daughter Charley Hendrick. Their bodies were found Nov. 23, 2014 when Oakland County Sheriff's deputies went to Gailey's Oxford Township after he failed to return Charley to her mother on time.
Recommended Videos
She alleges she doesn't remember the murders.
"For whatever reason she came to the conclusion that the son and the child would be better off if they weren't alive, sadly," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
Bouchard said the baby's death was caused by blunt force trauma to her head.
"The baby was (found) in the crib, dressed, and tucked away like it was going to sleep," said the sheriff.
Gailey's throat was cut.
Bouchard said investigators found several handwritten notes and other documents in the home. Bouchard also said Majewska, who was 65 years old at the time of the murders, tried to kill herself by slashing her arms.
"She was bleeding when deputies arrived in an apparent attempt to take her own life, only she knows ... tragic situation," he said.
Majewska underwent a competency evaluation. She was found competent to stand trial and her pretrial was scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. However, she pleaded no contest to the lesser second-degree murder charges on Oct. 4.
The judge gave Majewska an opportunity to speak before sentencing. She spent seven minutes to tell the court how she was a good mother and explained the sacrifices she made for her children. She accepted responsibility but still alleged she doesn't remember the slayings.
Watch Majewska's statement below:
Majewska was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.