A Montana man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison after being convicted of murdering his 4-year-old stepson, a child with autism, in a case that has shocked the local community. Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk, 40, was found guilty in March of deliberate homicide in the 2021 death of young Jaxsynn Gatlin.
The jury opted for the more severe charge of negligent homicide, citing the evidence presented at trial. According to court records, Harasymczuk drowned Jaxsynn in a bathtub filled with scalding hot water. Initially, the boy’s death was thought to be a tragic accident. His mother, Lana Harasymczuk, told responding officers that Jaxsynn had likely tripped while alone in the bathroom on the night of his death.
However, officers grew suspicious when they found the boy lying on the floor next to the bathtub, completely dry and unusually warm to the touch. Those doubts were confirmed after the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by hyperthermia. The autopsy also revealed extensive bruising across Jaxsynn’s face and body, consistent with physical abuse, KRTV reported.
Faced with the medical findings, Lana allegedly changed her account, admitting that her husband had been in the bathroom with the child just before he was found unresponsive. She further disclosed, according to police documents, that Harasymczuk frequently beat Jaxsynn and her other son, then 6 years old, using a metal spatula.
The victim’s biological father also cooperated with investigators, providing Child Protective Services with photographs showing “severe bruising” and “redness” on his older son’s body just days after Jaxsynn’s death. He alleged that Harasymczuk used violent disciplinary tactics, including spanking, wall sits, kicking, and pushing the children into the bathtub, according to Law and Crime.
When authorities searched for the alleged weapon, they discovered the metal spatula had been broken and discarded, a detail that led to additional charges of assault on a minor and tampering with physical evidence. Harasymczuk was convicted on those charges as well.
Last week, Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies sentenced Harasymczuk to 80 years for deliberate homicide, with an additional 15 years each for the assault and tampering convictions. All three sentences will run concurrently.
On the same day Harasymczuk was sentenced, prosecutors also indicted Lana Harasymczuk. She now faces three counts each of criminal child endangerment and tampering with evidence. She has not yet entered a plea.