Pensacola, Florida – Devon Mae Witryk, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to felony child neglect occurring on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I am proud of this successful prosecution in this heartbreaking case of severe child neglect, and deeply appreciate the excellent work of the Eglin AFB Security Forces Investigations to identify and put a stop to this abusive situation.”
Court documents reveal that in June 2023, a welfare investigation was initiated for a child residing on Eglin Air Force Base. The defendant was the child’s mother and a military spouse. Due to the child not receiving appropriate care and supervision, the defendant’s home was inspected, and investigators rescued the child. Witryk no longer has custody of or contact with the child.
Witryk faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
The case involved an investigation by Eglin Air Force Base Security Forces Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
