Prosecutors in Manhattan have formally charged the parents of Jah’Meik Modlin, a 4-year-old boy who tragically starved to death in Harlem, with murder, manslaughter, and multiple counts of assault and child endangerment. The child’s mother, Nytavia Ragsdale, 26, and her partner, Laron Modlin, 25, initially faced criminally negligent homicide charges after Jah’Meik was discovered unresponsive in their apartment on October 13.
According to authorities, the conditions were grim when first responders entered the family’s residence on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. Jah’Meik, who weighed only 19 pounds—roughly half the expected weight for his age—was found severely malnourished with no body fat. He was declared dead shortly after being rushed to Harlem Hospital.
The charges were expanded following new evidence, which also implicated Ragsdale and Modlin in the mistreatment of their other three children, aged 5, 6, and 7. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg condemned the parents’ actions in a public statement.
“The tragic death of Jah’Meik Modlin, a child who should have been safe and cared for, is a profound loss for our community,” Bragg stated. “This heartbreaking incident, where a child and his siblings suffered neglect in the middle of Harlem, must be met with justice.”
Family members of Ragsdale revealed last month that she had a history of domestic abuse and mental health struggles. They claimed that several city agencies failed to intervene but offered no concrete evidence to support their accusations. A spokesperson for Ragsdale’s family acknowledged the recent charges but declined further comment.
Court documents describe disturbing details about the environment in which the children lived. Prosecutors allege that while food was present in the apartment, it was intentionally withheld from the children. Kitchen cabinets were reportedly zip-tied shut, and the refrigerator was turned against the wall, preventing access. The apartment itself was described as filthy, with dirt and feces covering both the rooms and the children.
Authorities reported that the room where the children were kept was locked from the outside. None of the children were enrolled in school, and officials noted their severely stunted physical development. According to prosecutors, the children were unable to hold utensils or feed themselves due to extreme malnutrition.
Since the October 13 incident, Jah’Meik’s surviving siblings have been hospitalized and are undergoing intensive medical treatment. Officials say that they have begun to recover some motor skills with proper nourishment, but the emotional and physical scars are likely to endure.
As of now, the attorneys representing Ragsdale and Modlin have not publicly responded to the charges.
