N.Y. mom sentenced for abusing, starving daughter who died days before graduation

CANTON, N.Y. (TCD) -- A northern New York mother will spend two decades in prison for starving and hitting her daughter with a hammer, which caused her to contract sepsis and die.

WWNY-TV reports a judge in St. Lawrence County Court sentenced Lashanna Charlton to 20 years behind bars and five years of post-release supervision for the June 2020 death of her 18-year-old daughter, Treyanna Summerville. Charlton reportedly pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in December.

Summerville’s 13-year-old half-sister was arrested at the time and charged with murder, but charges against her were dismissed in 2021 because prosecutors said the "evidence no longer supports the charge nor the interests of justice."

According to North Country Now, prosecutors dropped charges of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of a child as part of the plea deal.

The affidavit cited by WWNY says Summerville endured "prolonged physical abuse" between June 16 and June 20, 2020. Charlton reportedly hit her daughter with a hammer, which resulted in an infection that turned into sepsis. She did not feed Summerville, causing her to suffer "severe malnutrition," but gave her large doses of an antihistamine typically found in Benadryl.

WWNY reports Summerville was supposed to graduate from high school right around the time she died. Charlton also allegedly abused her stepson.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua said in a statement following the sentencing, "Today is ultimately about justice for Treyanna and the other victim in this case. That brave survivor gave a heartbreaking and powerful statement to the Court. And it’s important to note that both victims suffered years of abuse and neglect at the hands of the defendant."

He continued, "Treyanna’s death was tragic. This was a loss that no amount of time can provide solace. Treyanna will never get to live a normal life and experience the milestones that we all look forward to — graduations, falling in love, raising our children. Treyanna spent much of her short life trying to protect her sibling."

Pasqua said he hopes the family can "heal and allow the survivor a chance to be nurtured and cared for in the loving environment she deserves."

MORE:

• Mother sentenced to 20 years in Treyanna Summerville’s death - WWNY
• Murder charge dismissed against Treyanna Summerville’s half-sister, 9/15/2021 - WWNY
• Gouverneur woman sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing daughter - North Country Now
• Mother indicted on murder charge in death of Treyanna Summerville, 9/30/2021 - WWNY