Tragedy of a 4-year-old boy’s starvation death: Family sues city agency
The family of a 4-year-old boy who died from chronic starvation, malnutrition, and dehydration has announced plans to sue New York City’s Administration of Children Services (ACS) for ignoring warning signs that could have prevented his death.
Family Blames ACS for Boy’s Tragic Death
According to the boy’s aunt, Nyisha Ragsdale, ACS was aware of the living conditions inside the Harlem apartment where the boy was found dead on October 13, 2022, weighing just 19 pounds. Despite this knowledge, the agency failed to take action, resulting in the boy’s tragic death.
Lawyer Seeks Justice for the Family
Ragsdale is seeking $40 million in damages and plans to file a lawsuit against ACS on behalf of the boy’s estate. The family’s lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, emphasized the importance of an investigation into the agency’s actions, stating, "We look forward to deposing ACS, the staff of ACS, with regards to how this terrible wrongful death could have happened."
City’s Response to the Tragedy
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences over the boy’s death, acknowledging that the city’s social workers often face a difficult task in balancing their duty to protect children with the need to avoid disrupting families. However, he acknowledged that something went wrong, saying, "All of us feel pain that something like this happened." The city’s legal department has referred any questions regarding the case to the NYC Department of Investigation.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of the 4-year-old boy’s death?
A: The city’s medical examiner determined that the boy died as a result of chronic starvation, malnutrition, and dehydration.
Q: What is the family’s claim against ACS?
A: The family claims that ACS ignored warning signs and failed to take action to prevent the boy’s death, despite being aware of the dire living conditions inside his apartment.
Q: What is the family seeking in the lawsuit?
A: The family is seeking $40 million in damages from ACS and plans to file the lawsuit on behalf of the boy’s estate.
Conclusion
The tragic death of 4-year-old Jahmeil Modlin serves as a reminder of the importance of effective social services and the need for accountability when lives are at stake. As the family seeks justice and compensation, they hope that the lawsuit will lead to change and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
