Norristown father shares grief over death of 6-year-old son as one of two people pleads guilty in boy's death

NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania. – Emotions ran high in a Montgomery County courtroom Thursday as a father faced the man accused of murdering his 6-year-old son.

Prosecutors believe the boy died of a fentanyl overdose. The drugs were allegedly left behind by the boy's mother and her boyfriend.

“Hey guys. I'm making a video today and I want 200 likes,” said young Dominic Lyons on social media.

The sweet face of a happy little boy full of energy and personality making a YouTube video.

“This is so cool. Click the like button and subscribe,” Dominic Lyons said at the end of the video. But Dominic died at the age of six, investigators say, at the hands of his mother Kristen Sabatino and her boyfriend Matthew Santiago.

Toxicology reports revealed that Dominic's little body tested positive for fentanyl and xylazine, also known as tranquilizers. Investigators say both Sabatino and Santiago have a history of drug use. It happened in July of last year at the couple's home on Willow Street in Norristown.

“A roller coaster. A whirlwind. Like trying to keep everyone strong and together,” said Dominic's father, Husayn Lyons. FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson spoke with him Thursday night outside the Montgomery County Courthouse, where Santiago pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges related to Dominic's death as part of a plea agreement.

Lyons was there and said a judge sentenced Santiago to two and a half to five years, plus five years probation.

“In my eyes, this is just not right. I don't see any justice in this,” said Lyons, who read a victim's statement during the trial.

“I had hoped he would apologize for what he did, but he never did. He never showed any remorse or emotion in the courtroom,” Lyons said. He says his son was a bright spot, smart, and he really enjoyed the time they spent together.

“Dom loved playing with his toys. We played PJ Masks, Spiderman and Avengers,” Lyons said. He is leaning on his family to help him cope with the enormous burden of grief.

“As his mother, I want to take away his pain, but I know I can’t,” Lyon’s mother said.

Lyons says his job has created a memorial to Dominic, who used to come to work with him.

“They planted a tree. They put up a bench in his honor, so when I take my break I can just go outside and sit there and he's with me,” Lyons said.

The boy's mother will appear in court in October.