Parents Sentenced to Prison for Death of Malnourished Baby Found in Filthy Playpen

LEESBURG, FL – 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 deplorable conditions. On March 17th, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announced that 27-year-old Margaret Lehman and 30-year-old Mark Brittian Jr. were sentenced to 13 years and 13 1/4 years in prison, respectively, for the aggravated manslaughter of their daughter, Marcelyn Brittian.

The tragic case unfolded in September 2021 when the Leesburg Police Department responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at the couple’s home. Upon arrival, officers were met with “deplorable conditions with a heavy odor of garbage and rotting food throughout the house.” They discovered Marcelyn Brittian in a dirty playpen, “covered in dirt and dried feces.” Despite attempts at resuscitation, the infant was pronounced dead at the hospital.

During the investigation, Lehman and Brittian Jr. reportedly claimed that Marcelyn and their 3-year-old child were “happy and healthy.” However, further investigation revealed that Brittian Jr. had made calls to two other individuals 15 minutes before contacting law enforcement. Medical examiners determined that Marcelyn had likely not eaten for two to three days and was “extremely malnourished.”

The couple was arrested and charged, and their 3-year-old child was placed in the custody of family members.

State Attorney Bill Gladson expressed his 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.” The sentencing reflects the severity of the crime and the profound neglect that led to the infant’s death.