Jarrod Tutko, Sr., 39, and Kimberly Tutko, 40, will spend most, if not the remainder, of their lives behind bars.  Dauphin County Judge John F. Cherry, sentenced the Jarrod Tutko, Sr. to an aggregate prison term of 21 years to 42 years.  Moments later, Kimberly Tutko entered the same courtroom to face Judge Cherry and he sentenced her to an aggregate prison sentence of 20 years to 40 years.  On October 26, 2015, both parents pleaded guilty to Third Degree Murder, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of Children and one count of Aggravated Assault.  Mr. Tutko also pleaded guilty to Concealing the Death of a Child.  The charges were related to the death of their 9-year old son, Jarrod Tutko, Jr., and the near death of their then 10-year old daughter, Arianna.

Prior to sentencing each parent, Judge Cherry heard a description of the horrid conditions in which Jarrod Junior lived.  Witnesses described in particular a feces covered stuffed bunny found in Jarrod's room.  Erika Martel, a former caseworker from Dauphin County Children and Youth stated, "You do not forget the feces covered stuffed bunny, knowing it was likely the only source of comfort Jarrod has ever had."  [A picture of that bunny was entered into evidence today and can be found below]  

August 1, 2014, Harrisburg Bureau of Police officers were dispatched to 2119 Green Street, in the City of Harrisburg for the report of a deceased child.  Upon arriving at the home, officers were advised by Kimberly Tutko that her husband, Jarrod Tutko, Sr., told her that their nine year old son, Jarrod Tutko, Jr. had been dead for days.  Officers searched the home and found Jarrod Tutko, Jr.’s decomposing body on the floor of a bathroom located on second floor of the residence.  A further search of the residence revealed that Jarrod Tutko, Jr. had been confined to a bed room on the third floor of the residence.  Inside the room police officers observed the only furniture in the room was a television bolted to a television stand.  A thick coating of feces was smeared on the walls and floor of room.  Located in the middle of the floor was a feces covered stuffed rabbit and blanket.  Flies swarmed throughout the room. The door knobs were observed to have been ‘reversed’.  That is, the door knob locked from the hallway so that anyone inside the room could not get out of the room once the lock was engaged.

That same night police officers and caseworkers from Dauphin County Children and Youth became concerned for the wellbeing of the other children in the home.  A decision was made to take custody of the surviving Tutko children.  There was a particular concern for Arianna Tutko since she was confined to a hospital bed due to her medical condition.  She was in a vegetative state and required 24 hour care.  It was noted at the scene that her heart rate was slow and her body temperature was below normal.  Hygienically her body was so neglected that hospital staff needed to wash her six times to properly clean her body.

After court today, Chief Deputy District Attorney Seán M. McCormack praised Judge Cherry's sentences, "I truly feel that the sentences handed down by Judge Cherry today bring this tragic case to a close on the right note.  Today was about seeking justice for Jarrod Junior and his sister Arianna.  We accomplished that today in the only way the system can, by incarcerating the two people responsible for Jarrod Junior's death for most of the rest of their lives."          

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