Authorities have charged a couple with the tragic death of their four-year-old son, Jah’Meik Modlin, who allegedly suffered from severe starvation over a distressing two-year period. Reports from PEOPLE indicate that Nytavia Ragsdale and Laron Modlin are now facing serious murder charges after it was discovered that their son lived in an apartment in deplorable conditions, covered in feces and without access to adequate nutrition.

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Insight into the Disturbing Case of Jah’Meik Modlin’s Starvation

On November 6, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. announced that Nytavia Ragsdale, 26, and Laron Modlin, 25, were indicted in connection with their son Jah’Meik’s tragic death on October 14. At the time of his death, Jah’Meik weighed a mere 19 pounds and exhibited signs of extreme malnutrition, dehydration, and starvation, with almost no body fat. In addition to Jah’Meik, the couple has three other children who were also found in distressing health conditions and required hospitalization.

According to PEOPLE, Laron Modlin made a 911 call at 7:42 p.m. on October 13, reporting that Jah’Meik was unresponsive. The young boy and his three siblings, ages 5, 6, and 7, were rushed to the hospital, where, sadly, Jah’Meik succumbed early the next day. ABC7 further reports that the siblings remain hospitalized due to malnutrition. Upon arrival at the medical facility, it was noted that Jah’Meik and his siblings were not only unkempt but also covered in dirt and feces, indicating severe neglect. Prosecutors highlighted that the children exhibited significantly limited motor skills and were unable to feed themselves, though they are slowly improving with proper nutrition.

As reported by ABC7, it is alleged that Nytavia and Laron systematically denied their four children access to food for a staggering two years while indulging in food for themselves. Disturbingly, they reportedly turned their refrigerator to face the wall, making it inaccessible while still keeping it stocked. An official statement revealed that food cabinets were secured with zip ties on the handles to prevent the children from accessing food. One bedroom was found in horrific conditions, covered in feces, with layers of dirt and excrement on the floor, and feces stains on the walls up to a child’s height. Court documents indicate that the room was equipped with a lock on the outside, suggesting a disturbing level of control and isolation. Additionally, broken furniture and a mattress stained with feces were discovered inside the room. It is important to note that the children had not attended school or received medical care in over two years, as their parents had limited their contact with outsiders to conceal the children’s deteriorating conditions.

Understanding the Legal Situation of the Parents and Their Next Steps

According to ABC7, both Nytavia Ragsdale and Laron Modlin initially faced charges of manslaughter and child endangerment, which were later elevated to second-degree murder. District Attorney Bragg described Jah’Meik Modlin’s death as a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply affected the community of Harlem.

“The death of Jah’Meik Modlin, an innocent four-year-old child, is a tragedy that has scarred this city. That he died a slow and painful death, starving alongside his older siblings, somehow isolated in the heart of Harlem, is a stain on our collective conscience,” DA Bragg stated.

Furthermore, DA Bragg confirmed that the Child Abuse Bureau is actively pursuing justice for the four-year-old and ensuring support for his three siblings during this incredibly challenging time.

“Our Child Abuse Bureau is working diligently to secure justice for Jah’Meik and to support his three siblings during this immensely difficult process,” DA Bragg emphasized.

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