A 40-year-old man from Montana, Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk, was sentenced to 80 years in prison for the murder of his 4-year-old stepson, Jaxsynn Gatlin, in a horrific incident that took place in 2021.
The tragic details surrounding Jaxsynn’s death, including physical abuse and torture, have left the community shocked and heartbroken.
The Crime and Investigation
Kristopher Harasymczuk’s crime took place on October 22, 2021, when emergency responders were called to the family’s home in Billings, Montana, to attend to an unresponsive child. When they arrived, they found Jaxsynn on the bathroom floor next to the bathtub.
He was already dry, and his body was unusually warm. Tragically, despite efforts to save him, the young boy was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
An autopsy revealed that the likely cause of death was hyperthermia, with the child’s body temperature reaching 102 degrees. Signs of physical abuse, such as bruising on the boy’s face, were also noted.
The authorities later confirmed that the young boy had been beaten and immersed in scalding hot water, leading to his fatal injuries.
The Role of the Mother
Jaxsynn’s mother, Lana Marie Harasymczuk, initially claimed that her son had gone to take a bath by himself and that Kristopher was not present at the time of the incident.
She suggested that Jaxsynn had drowned on his own. However, after further investigation, authorities uncovered evidence of abuse, and Lana admitted that Kristopher was indeed the last person with Jaxsynn in the bathroom.
It was also revealed through interviews with Jaxsynn’s siblings that Kristopher had abused them as well. Lana now faces charges related to child endangerment and tampering with evidence.
Her bond was set at $100,000, and if she is released, she will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device and prohibited from having contact with minors.
The Sentence
Kristopher Harasymczuk was convicted of intentional homicide and multiple counts of assaulting a minor and tampering with evidence. Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies sentenced him to 80 years in prison for the murder, with additional concurrent sentences for the other charges.
The case has shocked the community, as it involved unimaginable cruelty toward a young child.
The Aftermath and the Community’s Response
This case has left the community of Billings devastated, as the abuse and death of a young child are among the worst crimes that can occur. Detective David Raschkow of the Billings Police Department referred to the case as “evil” during the trial, reflecting the horror that many felt upon hearing the details.
The tragic events surrounding Jaxsynn’s death highlight the need for increased awareness and action to prevent child abuse. The justice system has given Kristopher a long sentence, but the emotional and psychological scars left on the family, especially Jaxsynn’s surviving siblings, will likely last a lifetime.
The case of Jaxsynn Gatlin’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerability of children and the lasting impact of abuse. Kristopher Harasymczuk’s 80-year prison sentence will keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, but the pain and trauma for the family, particularly Jaxsynn’s surviving siblings, will continue for years.
As the investigation continues, it raises critical questions about how communities can better protect children from similar horrors in the future.
