A New York woman has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to the 2022 deaths of her three young children at Coney Island.
Erin Merdy, 34, received the sentence on Wednesday after admitting to three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Zachary Merdy, 7, Liliana Stephens Merdy, 4, and 3-month-old Oliver Bondarev, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
Authorities said the tragic incident happened on Sept. 12, 2022, near the family’s home in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Prosecutors stated that Merdy took the children to the beach shortly after midnight before later contacting relatives while in distress. Family members and police launched a search after she refused to reveal the children’s whereabouts.
Police later discovered the children along the shoreline in the early morning hours. They were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez described the children as “innocent” victims of a heartbreaking tragedy and said the sentence ensures accountability for their deaths.
Merdy pleaded guilty in March 2026 as part of the criminal proceedings. Her attorney did not immediately comment following the sentencing.