Mom arrested after 4-year-old son found dead

HARLEM, NY – Authorities have identified a young boy found dead in a Harlem residence and have taken his mother into custody. Jahmeik Modlin, just four years old, was discovered unresponsive in an apartment on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard this past Sunday evening.

The boy’s mother, Nytavia Ragsdale, now faces charges including criminally negligent homicide as well as endangering the welfare of a child. Law enforcement sources revealed that incriminating admissions made by Ragsdale during police questioning led to her arrest. Ragsdale has four children, but circumstances surrounding Modlin’s death have raised grave concerns among investigators.

Police responded to a 911 call made by Modlin’s father, who found the child in distress. Although paramedics arrived swiftly and transported Modlin to nearby Harlem Hospital, he was unfortunately pronounced dead early the following morning at 5:50 a.m.

The Medical Examiner has not yet officially determined the child’s cause of death. However, initial findings have pointed to severe malnutrition and visible skin injuries, which might have been mistaken for extreme eczema. These troubling signs underscore the potential neglect and abuse the young boy faced.

The details surrounding Modlin’s tragic death remain under investigation as authorities work to piece together the final hours of the young boy’s life. This heartbreaking case has also shed light on the need for increased vigilance and intervention where child welfare is concerned.

As the investigation unfolds, community members and law enforcement are grappling with the impact of Modlin’s untimely passing. It serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerability of young lives and the responsibilities that come with caring for them.

Authorities have asked for anyone with additional information about the situation to come forward, as it may aid in understanding the full extent of the circumstances leading to Modlin’s death.

The local community remains in shock, mourning the loss of a young boy whose life ended far too soon, amid questions that desperately seek answers.