The Harlem community was left grieving in October 2024 following the death of 4-year-old Jahmeik Modlin, who prosecutors said died after suffering severe malnutrition and prolonged neglect inside a Manhattan apartment.
Police responded to the family’s Harlem apartment on the evening of October 13, 2024, after Jahmeik was found unconscious and unresponsive. He was taken to Harlem Hospital for treatment but died during the early morning hours of October 14.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Jahmeik Modlin |
| Age | 4 |
| Location | Harlem, Manhattan, New York City |
| Found | October 13, 2024 |
| Date of Death | October 14, 2024 |
| Medical Condition | Severe malnutrition and starvation, according to prosecutors |
| Weight Reported | Approximately 19 pounds |
| Siblings | Three, ages 5, 6 and 7 |
| Siblings’ Condition | Hospitalized for malnutrition |
| Parents | Nytavia Ragsdale and Laron Modlin |
| Criminal Case | Parents later indicted on murder and other charges |
According to prosecutors and court records, Jahmeik had suffered from prolonged starvation. His three older siblings, ages 5, 6 and 7, were also hospitalized and treated for malnutrition. Officials said the children showed significant developmental difficulties and had been isolated from much of the outside world.
Prosecutors later described extremely poor conditions inside the apartment. Authorities said food was reportedly kept inaccessible to the children, while one bedroom contained extensive feces and other unsanitary conditions. Prosecutors also alleged that the parents continued purchasing food for themselves while restricting the children’s access to it.
Jahmeik’s parents, Nytavia Ragsdale and Laron Modlin, were later indicted on charges including second-degree murder and offenses involving the other children. The allegations are part of a criminal case and should not be treated as findings of guilt unless established in court.
Jahmeik’s death prompted memorial gatherings in Harlem, where relatives and community members remembered the young boy and offered support to his family.