'Begging': Harlem mom suspected of starving son, 4, to death, sources say
NEW YORK (PIX11) – A Harlem mother was charged in her 4-year-old son's death on Tuesday, and police suspect her of starving him to death, sources told PIX11 News.
Nytavia Ragsdale, 26, was charged with criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child. Police found the child, identified as Jahmeik Modlin, unconscious and unresponsive in a home near Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and West 145th Street on Sunday, authorities said.
The boy's father had called 911, police said. Heavily armed officers rushed into the home early Monday morning, taking Ragsdale's other three children, who are all under the age of 10, to the hospital to be checked out, according to authorities.
Severe neglect and malnutrition are believed to be factors in Jahmeik's death, sources said.
Neighbor Erica Speed told PIX11 News that she never saw the children leave the house.
"I seen her one time go and buy chicken and she was eating it out here before she go back," Speed said. "'[I said] hold up, you got kids. [She said] Oh, I ain't going to eat it up there cause they're going to be begging for it.'"
Clergy and community activists said a prayer for Jahmeik on Monday evening. Ragsdale appeared to be down on her luck and never wanted to take any handouts, neighbors said.
"We can't bring this 4-year-old child back, but what we can do is some prevention," said Dr. Iesha Sekou, of Street Corner Resources. "We can begin to talk to each other in the neighborhood, do more engagement, talk to the people in the barbershop, the beauty salon, the corner store."
Ragsdale could appear in front of a judge as soon as Tuesday morning. The whereabouts of Jahmeik's father are still unknown, sources told PIX11 News.
If you know someone who is struggling, here are some resources:
- USDA National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (para español)
- Text the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 914-415-6617 with a question containing the words food, summer, or meals for resources near you.
- National Parent Hotline: 1-855-4-A-PARENT
- HRA’s Emergency Food Hotline: 866-888-8777
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Shelter or Temporary Housing Assistance: 3-1-1
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.