Harlem remembers boy, 4, allegedly starved by parents

In New York's Harlem neighborhood, residents are mourning the tragic death of a four-year-old boy, Jahmeik Modlin, who prosecutors allege was starved by his parents. The child was found severely malnourished, weighing only 19 pounds, and died days later in a hospital. A vigil was held, where community members gathered to honor his memory and address the disturbing circumstances of his death. Jahmeik and his three siblings, who are ages 5, 6, and 7, were reportedly denied access to food and had never attended school, a situation outlined by prosecutors during a court session. Prosecutors also revealed that the parents, Nytavia Ragsdale and Laron Modlin, had stocked their home with food but had deliberately made it inaccessible to the children by locking cabinets and turning the refrigerator away from the wall. This cruel environment has raised serious questions about the well-being of the surviving siblings, now under the custody of child welfare officials and receiving hospital treatment for malnourishment. The children are currently unable to consume solid foods and are being fed intravenously. Ragsdale has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, which was upgraded to second-degree manslaughter, as well as endangering the welfare of a child, and her bail is set at $100,000. Modlin is expected to face similar charges. The case highlights the significant shortcomings in child protection systems and raises awareness about the signs of neglect in family settings. This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the vital importance of monitoring children's conditions in private settings, advocating for their rights and well-being, and addressing the systemic issues that allow such tragedies to occur.