Three adults lived in the same trailer as a 3-year-old boy. All three were later convicted or charged in connection with his death.
In April 2013, 3-year-old Scott "Scotty" McMillan died in Chester County, Pennsylvania, after suffering sustained physical abuse at the hands of his mother, Jillian Tait, her boyfriend Gary Fellenbaum, and Fellenbaum's wife, Amber, all of whom lived together.
The Household
Gary Fellenbaum lived in a trailer with his wife, Amber, and his girlfriend, Jillian Tait. Amber and Gary had an 11-month-old child together, and Jillian had two sons from a previous relationship, 3-year-old Scotty and his 6-year-old brother, Ryan.
A Pattern of Abuse
Court records established that both boys suffered ongoing physical abuse in the household over an extended period. Given Scotty's age, we won't detail the specific methods described in court documents; what's documented is that the abuse was severe, sustained, and ultimately fatal. Amber later told investigators she'd become aware of the abuse roughly two weeks before Scotty's death, describing incidents she witnessed but did not report.
Scotty's Death
Scotty died over the course of several days of abuse in April 2013. Amber Fellenbaum called 911 to report his death. When he arrived at the hospital, medical staff found injuries covering nearly his entire body. An investigator involved in the case said afterward that it would take his surviving brother years of care to recover physically and emotionally from what the children had endured.
Charges and Sentencing
Jillian Tait was charged with first-degree murder and 14 additional charges; she was ultimately sentenced to 42 to 94 years in prison. Gary Fellenbaum was charged with first- and third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and 14 other charges, and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Amber Fellenbaum was charged with child endangerment for failing to report the abuse she'd witnessed and was held on $500,000 bail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were all three adults convicted?
Jillian Tait and Gary Fellenbaum were convicted of murder and related charges. Amber Fellenbaum faced a separate child endangerment charge for failing to report the abuse.
What happened to Scotty's brother, Ryan?
He also suffered abuse in the household and survived. Investigators involved in the case have said his recovery would take significant time.
What sentences did Tait and Fellenbaum receive?
Jillian Tait was sentenced to 42 to 94 years in prison. Gary Fellenbaum was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.