HARLEM, N.Y. (PIX11) -- The Administration for Children’s Services is breaking its silence on the death of a 4-year-old Harlem boy.
Jahmeik Modlin died of starvation last Monday. ACS now says it’s conducting an "in-depth" review to determine whether they could have helped prevent this tragedy.
Tears streamed down Diana Kerlegrand’s cheek Monday, a week after the death of her 4-year-old nephew, Jahmeik Modlin.
“We are committed to getting justice for [Nytavia], Jahmeik and his siblings,” said Kerlegrand.
The four children, all under 7 years old, were living in what prosecutors describe as a house of horrors. Investigators found they didn’t go to school and weren’t allowed outside their Harlem apartment, where food was kept locked up.
“The family was not aware of the circumstances in the household,” Kerlegrand added.
Life at home had apparently been unraveling for the past two years. Brooklyn-based community activist Rev. Kevin McCall says he recently spoke with the children’s mother on Rikers Island, where Ragsdale said she had been suffering too.
“She said from Rikers that domestic violence was going on in the home and that she needed someone to advocate for her,” Rev. McCall said.
Naytavia Ragsdale reportedly told the pastor she sought the city’s help in 2022 and that both police and child services responded, though no action was taken.
In a statement late Monday night, ACS told PIX11 News:
“The death of Jahmeik is a terrible tragedy. We mourn his loss. While state confidentiality laws designed in large part to protect siblings do not allow us to share case specifics, at ACS, we continuously assess our work, including through an in-depth review of this case, so we can identify opportunities to strengthen our policies, practices, and services for NYC children and families. We will continue to proactively and transparently publish the results of these systemic reviews and the steps we take to strengthen the deeply important work ACS does with tens of thousands of children and families each day. ”
Both parents, Laron Modlin and Ragsdale, have now been indicted by a grand jury on manslaughter charges. Little Jahmeik was just 19 pounds when he died from malnutrition, according to the medical examiner.
The family says they saw the children last week on FaceTime and they appeared happy.
“If they knew anything, they would have been there,” McCall said.
“The gravity of this unforeseen situation has left us unprepared and we’re still coming to terms with its impact,” Kerlegrand said.
They are still in the process of planning a funeral.
Modlin's three siblings are reportedly still hospitalized and being treated for malnutrition as well.
Their parents are due back in court later this month and in November to answer to indictments handed up by a Grand Jury, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
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