A father from Harlem, NYC, has been charged in the death of his 4-year-old son, just one day after the child’s mother was arrested, police reported.
Laron Modlin, aged 25, is facing charges for criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of his son, Jahmeik Modlin.
On Monday, the boy’s mother, Nytavia Ragsdale, was also arrested. She had called the police on Sunday evening, saying she found her son unresponsive in their apartment near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
Jahmeik was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where doctors discovered he was severely malnourished and suffering from hypothermia.
At first, investigators suspected that the child had burn marks, but it was later revealed that the marks were caused by eczema, according to ABC 7.
The boy was pronounced dead early Monday morning.
Laron Modlin was seen being escorted out of the 32nd Precinct around 9:15 p.m. as emergency medical workers followed behind.
A small crowd of locals gathered, angrily shouting at him. One man yelled, “You’re going to die in jail, mother–ker.”
Modlin refused to answer questions about the alleged neglect but denied the burn marks on his son, saying, “There were never any burn marks.” He then walked into the back of the ambulance.
Outside the police station, a woman named Shamecca Hart expressed her anger toward both parents, calling them out for neglecting their child.
She said, “Get rid of both pieces of s–t — the mom and the dad. To not feed a kid? That’s not right.”
Jahmeik’s three other siblings were checked at the hospital and are now in the custody of child services.
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Neighbors in the building expressed their sadness and shock over the boy’s death. One resident, Shannon, called the incident a “tragedy,” saying, “That child missed out on so much life because of neglect.”
Another neighbor said she never saw the mother with her children. “It’s a shame. Nobody even knew she had kids,” the woman added.
Outside the building, a memorial for Jahmeik was set up, featuring a large teddy bear, stuffed animals, and candles. Another resident, 46, described the situation as “unfathomable,” noting she rarely saw the mother and that they never exchanged greetings.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.