By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Sylvia Marie Majewska had a plan ‘and the plan had a conclusion that wasn’t good,? according to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.
‘For whatever reason, she came to the conclusion that (her) son and (his) child would be better off if they weren’t alive,? he said during a Dec. 8 press conference at the sheriff’s office in Pontiac.
Now, the 65-year-old Addison woman stands accused of the premeditated murders of her son Daryne Gailey, 29, of Oxford, and her 7-month-old granddaughter Charley Lillian Hendrick.
Gailey and his daughter were found dead on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 23 in his Kintyre home. Authorities know they died the night before, however, they’re not sure the order in which they were killed.
Hendrick died from blunt force trauma to the head, while Gailey’s throat had been slit. Both deaths were ruled homicides by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On Monday, Majewska, who has been hospitalized in Pontiac since Nov. 23, was arraigned via video in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court on two counts of first-degree murder. Bond was denied.
‘She’s under guard in the hospital,? Bouchard said.
Majewska made no comments at her arraignment nor has she given any statement to investigators. Bouchard noted she is able to ‘articulate.?
A preliminary examination has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.
Investigators searched Majewska’s home and recovered multiple computer documents and handwritten notes that, according to Bouchard, ‘give us insight into what her reasons were? for allegedly committing the murders, ‘but (they’re) certainly not reasons anyone can either accept or understand.?
‘I think you can draw from the contents that there was a premeditation and a plan that things were all going to come to an end shortly,? he said. ‘I don’t want to get into exact verbage, but it was pretty clear from the documents, the notes and other things that ultimately will come out that there was a plan and the plan had a conclusion that wasn’t good.?
For example, Bouchard said there was a note and receipt referencing plans to return an infant car seat that had just been purchased on Nov. 21 or 22.
‘I think it’s pretty clear the ominous nature of where this was headed,? the sheriff said.
When asked if Majewska had any history of mental illness, Bouchard said, ‘I can’t specifically say we have medical records saying that.?
‘We certainly have information that she was an angry woman and a controlling woman, but I don’t know if it has crossed over into the mental health sphere or not by actual participation in a treatment fashion,? he continued.
When a deputy entered Gailey’s home on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 23, he found her sitting on the couch in the living room. Her left arm and wrist had sustained cuts and she was bleeding into a plastic bucket filled with water.
Whether or not it was a genuine suicide attempt, Bouchard said, ‘I guess only she’ll know.?
‘She had bled pretty significantly,? he noted. ‘I think ultimately, she would have succumb (had deputies not intervened).?
Hendrick was found laying in her crib, ‘tucked away like (she) was going to sleep,? Bouchard said.
A ‘soft blow,? as the sheriff described it, to the head killed her.
It doesn’t appear as though she was struck with any type of blunt object.
‘It could have been a hand (that did it),? Bouchard said.
Gailey’s body was found laying on the bathroom floor. His throat had been slashed.
Gailey was most likely attacked in his bedroom, maybe while he was asleep, Bouchard said.
‘There’s evidence in both rooms that he had bled in both rooms,? he said. ‘How that transpired, we’re not going to get into the specifics right now. There was blood in both rooms . . . Significantly more in the bathroom. That’s where he perished.?
A boxcutter recovered at the scene is believed to be both the murder weapon and what Majewska allegedly used to cut her wrist.
Bouchard said the boxcutter was laying beside her on the couch when deputies arrived.
The sheriff fielded questions as to how an average-sized, 65-year-old woman was able to kill her larger, 29-year-old son in such a manner.
When asked if there was any indication that Majewska drugged him, Bouchard said, ‘Not at this point.?
Toxicology test results are pending.
Bouchard noted that Gailey was taking some prescription medication.
‘Apparently, one of the side effects (of) that medication is (it’s) incredibly difficult to wake someone,? he said.
The nature of their mother-son relationship might have also played a factor in Majewska’s ability to subdue Gailey.
Bouchard explained that Majewska was ‘pretty controlling? when it came to her son. He was developmentally disabled and she had legal guardianship over him.
Investigators obtained video of his Gailey and Majewska shopping at a store and in it, she’s seen ‘berating? him, according to the sheriff.
‘She was very much in charge,? she said. ‘It seems like most of the time, he was pretty much doing what she told him to do. She was in control of the relationship.?
Ironically, the woman charged with his daughter’s murder was a necessary part of Gailey’s parenting time.
Gailey was not allowed to be alone with his daughter because he had a mental age of around 14 to 16 years old.
According to a divorce judgment dated Nov. 3, 2014, Gailey was granted visitations every other week, but they had to be supervised by Majewska or ‘another competent adult of (her) choosing.?
Hendrick’s mother, Amanda Hendrick Gailey, lives in Tuscola County. She was awaiting her daughter’s return on the night of Nov. 22.
When Gailey didn’t show up with her, local authorities were contacted.