BILLINGS, Mont. — A Montana man will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing his 4-year-old stepson by beating him and immersing him in a scalding hot bathtub in 2021.
Yellowstone County District Court Judge Collette Davies sentenced Kristopher Michael Harasymczuk, 40, to 80 years for intentional homicide, plus 15 years each for assaulting a minor and tampering with evidence. The sentences will run concurrently.
A jury convicted Harasymczuk in March for the killing of young Jaxsynn Gatlin.
Jaxsynn’s mother, Lana Marie Harasymczuk, 37, was charged Tuesday with child endangerment and tampering with evidence in connection to her son’s death.
On Oct. 22, 2021, Billings Police and medics responded to the family’s home on Woodgrain Drive, finding Jaxsynn unresponsive on the bathroom floor. He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly after.
An autopsy ruled his death a homicide, citing hyperthermia and a body temperature of 102 degrees. Bruising and other abuse signs were also documented.
Jaxsynn’s siblings later told investigators they were also physically abused by Kristopher.
Initially, Lana claimed Jaxsynn went to bathe alone and drowned accidentally. However, she later admitted Kristopher was with the boy before he died and that she heard her son screaming.
Prosecutors said Jaxsynn may have died from hyperthermia, blunt force trauma, or swelling from drowning.
“This is the worst one I’ve been involved in for sure,” said John Ryan, Yellowstone’s senior deputy county attorney.
Lana’s bond was set at $100,000. If released, she must wear a GPS monitor and avoid contact with minors.
