PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after being found guilty on two counts of injury to a child with serious bodily injury for his role in the death of 4-year-old with disabilities.
A Jefferson County jury sentenced Jaylin Lewis, 38, to 60 years in prison on each of the two charges. Judge Raquel West ordered that the sentences run concurrently so that his sentence is effectively for 60 years. She did have the option to stack them because a child was involved.
Lewis had faced from five to 99 years to life in prison on each charge and will have to serve at least 30 years before he is eligible for parole.
After a short deliberation, the jury, on Wednesday, found Lewis guilty on all charges after King Dewey was found dead in a home with signs of severe neglect.
Back in May of 2022 Port Arthur police arrived at a home in the 300 block of Richmond Avenue, there they discovered the severely malnourished body of Dewey locked in a closet with a padlock. Responding officers say that the scene was hard to even fathom.
At the time of his death, the toddler weighed just 19 pounds according to Justice of the Peace Mark Derouen and had a "skeletal appearance".
Lewis is being charged on two counts of injury to a child with serious bodily injury, and is accused of severely neglecting King Dewey which resulted in the child's death.
The PCA says Lewis was aware Dewey was malnourished and deteriorating health, and failed to seek medical attention and confined the child in a locked closet.
Lewis was the third and final suspect arrested in connection to the death of Dewey. The boy's mother Tina Louis, 43, and his sister, Kirsten Louis, 21 were also taken into into custody and each charged with two counts of injury to a child.
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Lewis had fled Port Arthur and was later found in the Houston area before being arrested in group effort involving the Jefferson County Fugitive Warrant Division and U.S. Marshal Task Force.
"The circumstances surrounding [Dewey's] death were terrible. Our guys took it personally and spent a lot of time doing good police work, tracking leads, to track [Lewis] down," Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens told 12News.
As the punishment faze of the trial commenced Lewis himself was the only one called to the stand.
Defense Attorney Tom Burbank asked Lewis how he was feeling to which Lewis replied that he was very emotional at the moment.
Burbank went on to ask Lewis if he respected the jury's decision.
“Not really,” said Lewis.
However, Lewis went on to say that he does regret his inaction at the time.
"If I could turn back the hands of time to take matters to my own hands, I would have took it upon myself to give him a better opportunity than what his mother was giving him,” said Lewis.
In cross examination prosecutor Tommy Coleman noted that Lewis told the jury what was good about him. He said now tell us what was good about King.
“You are asking for consideration,” said Coleman, "Did you show consideration to King?”
Lewis responded by saying that he did show consideration to Dewey by doing the best he could do although "he was not his responsibility".
Coleman then pointed out the the way Lewis spoke of not respecting the jury’s decision.
“Even as you sit there, it seems a little remorseless,” said Coleman.
Judge west then dismissed the jury for the day. She said the charge would be read to the jury for the evening. They will then hear closing arguments and deliberate punishment Thursday morning.
Lewis is facing up to 99 years or life in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Judge West has the option to stack the sentences because a child was involved.