A 30-year-old man from Ulysses, Pennsylvania, faces serious charges in connection with the death of a five-year-old boy. On July 2, 2024, Waylon William Shutt was rushed to UPMC Cole in cardiac arrest before being transferred to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville. Tragically, the young boy succumbed to his injuries on July 22, 2024.
The accused, Andrew Schuyler Jeffers, has been charged with first-degree murder following an investigation initiated by the Pennsylvania State Police. The inquiry began when officers received a report of child abuse from Potter County Children and Youth Services on July 5, 2024. As the investigation progressed, the Montour County coroner’s office ruled the boy’s death a homicide.
According to the police report, Jeffers was supervising Waylon and three other children on A Frame Road in Sweden Township when he allegedly assaulted the young boy, resulting in bleeding in the brain. The report further states that witnesses observed Jeffers assaulting Waylon days before the child was admitted to the hospital.
Waylon lived with cerebral palsy and was a student at Northern Potter Children’s School in Ulysses. An obituary published by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory describes him as having a “big personality and sense of humor.” He is survived by his mother, ShaLynn Strine, his father, William Shutt Jr., and five siblings.
Jeffers now faces a total of 14 charges, including 12 felonies. The charges include first-degree criminal homicide, third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of aggravated assault. Potter County District Attorney Andy Watson filed the charges on Wednesday, emphasizing the severity of the case.
During the arraignment before District Judge Bryan Phelps, Jeffers was remanded to Potter County Jail without bail. A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for December 23, 2024. As of Thursday, no attorney has been listed for Jeffers in court filings, raising questions about his legal representation.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Waylon’s death have drawn attention to issues of child safety and welfare. Community members are left grieving the loss of a young life, while the legal proceedings against Jeffers continue to unfold.
