The parents of the four-year-old discovered starved to death in Harlem have been accused of murder in his death.
Originally accused of manslaughter and endangering the care of a child, Nytavia Ragsdale, 26, and Laron Modlin, 25
The office of the Manhattan District Attorney included second-degree murder.
Authorities claimed that while daily food purchases for themselves, the couple cut off food access to their four children for two years.
According to court records, the apartment’s operational refrigerator included fresh food but was twisted so the door faced the wall and couldn’t be opened.
Court documents revealed that any food cabinet had a zip tie on the handle.
Upon death, Jah’Meik Modlin weighed nineteen pounds.
Officials reported that Jah’Meik and his brothers showed up at the hospital covered in layers of grime and matted feces in their hair.
Officials reported that his three malnourished siblings, who are still in hospitals, showed extremely poor fine motor skills and were unable to feed themselves or handle any utensils.