A 28-year-old Ohio woman has been sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felony child neglect stemming from conditions investigators found inside her home on Eglin Air Force Base. Devon Mae Witryk, of Columbus, Ohio, was the child's mother and a military spouse living on the Florida base when a welfare investigation was opened in June 2023.
According to WEAR-TV, U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said the child was rescued from absolutely deplorable conditions through the investigative work of Air Force partners. A Justice Department search-result snippet reviewed for this story likewise reports that Witryk was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felony child neglect, though the full sentencing release was not available for review.
The case timeline, reported by midbaynews.com, shows that the welfare investigation began in June 2023 after authorities determined a child residing on the base was not receiving appropriate care and supervision. Investigators inspected Witryk's home and rescued the child as a result, the outlet reported. Witryk no longer has custody of or contact with the child, per the same account.
Guilty Plea Followed Months of Proceedings
Witryk pleaded guilty in federal court to felony child neglect, and she had faced up to five years' imprisonment under the charge, according to the midbaynews.com report. The case involved a federal felony child-neglect charge.
The case involved an investigation by Eglin Air Force Base Security Forces Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer, per the report from The Federal Newswire. The guilty plea was announced by Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, that outlet noted.
Sentencing Scheduled for September 17, 2026
Mid Bay News reported on July 24, 2026, that sentencing was scheduled for September 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers in Pensacola. WEAR-TV later reported, on September 25, 2026, that Witryk had been sentenced to three years.
Heekin's office said its work ensured the defendant was held accountable for criminal neglect, WEAR-TV reported. The case involved federal prosecutors pursuing a child-neglect charge on a military installation.
Beyond the specifics of this case, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families compiles annual Child Maltreatment reports that track national data on child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies, according to acf.gov. Child Maltreatment 2023 presents national data for the federal fiscal year, while Child Maltreatment 2024, published January 16, 2026, is a newer edition, the agency's website notes.
