Authorities Charge Woman in Killing of Her Son and Infant Granddaughter

Oakland County authorities have charged an Addison Township woman with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of her son and granddaughter last month.

Sylvia Majewska, 65, was arraigned Monday, officials said in an afternoon press conference, The Oakland Press reports.

Majewska’s son, Daryne Gailey, 29, and his 7-month-old daughter, Charley Lillian Hendrick, were found dead when police went to Gailey’s Oxford Township home to do a welfare check on Nov. 22. At the time, they found Majewska bleeding in the arm.

An autopsy showed the infant died of blunt force trauma and Gailey died after his throat was slit.

The motive is unclear, but investigators said notes and other evidence collected at the scene backs up allegations that Majewska had been planning the murders for some time.

“For whatever reason, she came to the conclusion that the son and the child would be better off if they weren’t alive, sadly,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who described the case as “crazy and bizarre.”

Related:

• Oakland County Father, Infant Daughter Dead in ‘Very Bizarre’ Incident
• Infant Died of Blunt Force Trauma; Dad’s Throat Was Slit: Autopsies

Majewska remains hospitalized and has yet to speak with investigators, though she is reportedly conscious and able to speak. Bouchard said investigators think her wound may have been self-inflicted in a suicide attempt.

Her preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18 in 52-3 District Court. If convicted, she faces a mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole.

An attorney Majewska hired to represent her as the investigation began said he is no longer her attorney.

Gailey was mentally disabled and Majewska had been his legal guardian since his childhood. Gailey and the infant’s mother, Amanda Hendrick, were divorced.

Majewska had filed a protection order against her former daughter-in-law earlier this year, claiming that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was given to fits of rage. The order had been lifted at the time of the slayings, and both Gailey and Hendrick denied that any abuse ever occurred.

Daryne Gailey had worked at a Kroger’s store in Lake Orion for 15 years. He was described by those who knew him as gentle and a loving father, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Bouchard said the death of the infant likely devastated the infant’s mother, who called police after Gailey didn’t return the child as scheduled after a weekend visitation,

“To look at that baby in that crib, it was a beautiful little baby,” the sheriff said.

The infant’s great-uncle, David James of Granville, OH, told the Free Press that “Amanda and the family are heartbroken, but will have no comments until the criminal process is concluded.”

He said they “would like to thank the public, friends and family for their prayers and support.”

After the murders were discovered, Gailey’s neighbors described Majewska as domineering, according to an earlier Detroit Free Press report.

Charles Miller said Majewska wanted her son and former daughter-in-law to put the baby up for adoption and “didn’t want nothing to do with that baby.”

Michele Miller said Majewksa “controls him and everything he does.”

Police were frequently called to the house when Majewska was present to arbitrate arguments between the two.

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Photo via Oakland County Sheriff’s Office