The tragic death of a 4-year-old boy, Jah’Meik Modlin, has shocked the Harlem community.
His parents, Nytavia Ragsdale (26) and Laron Modlin (25), are facing serious charges after their son starved to death in a filthy apartment.
Authorities say the boy weighed only 19 pounds at the time of his death, a stark contrast to a normal weight of 30-40 pounds for a child his age.
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On October 13, 2024, Modlin called 911, reporting that Jah’Meik was unresponsive. The boy was rushed to the hospital, where he received end-of-life care before passing away early the next morning.
When hospital staff examined the child, they found that his body showed signs of severe malnutrition and dehydration. His skin was covered in dirt, and his hair was matted with feces.
The couple’s apartment was in a horrific state. Authorities described it as “covered in feces,” with excrement smeared on the walls and the floor completely obscured by dirt.
Though the parents had food for themselves, the children had no access to it. The refrigerator was deliberately turned away from the wall so the kids couldn’t open it, and the kitchen cabinets were locked with zip ties.
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In addition to Jah’Meik’s tragic death, Ragsdale and Modlin are accused of neglecting their three other children, ages 5, 6, and 7, who were also malnourished and living in poor conditions.
They had not been to school or seen a doctor in over two years.
District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. called the case a “stain on the collective conscience” of the city, adding that the death of Jah’Meik and the abuse of his siblings is a heartbreaking reminder of the extreme neglect some children face.
Ragsdale and Modlin face charges of murder, manslaughter, and child endangerment.
