FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of Sherie Titchenell, Marty, and Julie Browning in connection with the 2018 death of 8-year-old Raylee Browning, following allegations of severe neglect that led to the child’s death from untreated illness.
Titchenell, along with co-defendants Julie and Marty Browning, was convicted in 2022 on charges of child neglect resulting in death, though the jury acquitted them of child abuse resulting in death. The three adults, who lived together in Fayette County and jointly cared for the children in the home, failed to seek medical help for Raylee despite her visibly deteriorating condition.
The court’s ruling, issued May 19, 2025, found no reversible error in the original trial and rejected Titchenell’s claims on appeal, including objections to hearsay testimony, limitations on witness examination, and the use of evidence from outside the trial county.
A Tragic Case of Neglect
According to court documents, Raylee Browning died of sepsis caused by necrotizing pneumonia on December 26, 2018. Emergency responders and medical staff described her as unresponsive and beyond resuscitation when she was brought to the hospital. Her body temperature was so low it could not be registered by standard hospital equipment.
Testimony from another child in the home revealed Raylee had shown visible signs of illness days before her death and had not been given food, water, or medical care. Medical experts testified that Raylee’s condition would have been apparent to any reasonable caregiver and that timely treatment could have saved her life.
Legal Arguments Rejected
Titchenell’s appeal centered on several procedural and evidentiary claims. She argued that the trial court erred by admitting hearsay statements from Raylee and her co-defendants and by restricting her ability to examine witnesses. The Supreme Court disagreed, stating that the challenged statements were non-testimonial and did not violate the Confrontation Clause. It also ruled that the evidence in question was legally admissible and that Titchenell had not properly preserved some of her objections for appeal.
The Court further noted that evidence introduced at trial showed a clear pattern of neglect leading up to Raylee’s death. Despite some procedural complaints, the justices found no reversible error and affirmed the Fayette County Circuit Court’s judgment.
Sentencing and Outcome
Titchenell was sentenced to a term of 3 to 15 years in prison. Her co-defendants’ appeals were handled separately and were also affirmed.
The decision was unanimous among the participating justices, with Justice C. Haley Bunn disqualified from the case.
