On a Harlem street corner, they were trying to figure out something that made no sense at all.
Little Jahmeik Modlin, four years old, died of hunger in an apartment building right next to people who could have helped him. His parents are thought to have done it.
This week, cops arrested his mother, Nytavia Ragsdale, and his father, Laron Modlin. Prosecutors say they had food in the fridge, but it was facing the wall so Jahmeik and his three siblings couldn’t get to it.
After years of clearly not being cared for, the boy passed out on Sunday night and his mother called 911. His thin body stopped working all by itself.
On Friday, people in the neighborhood lit lights and let balloons fly in front of the family’s house. There was no light or balloon that could make them feel better, though.
Both of the boy’s parents are now being charged with killing and putting a child in danger. People are still getting used to the fact that his sad and lonely life ended before anyone knew he was there.