A couple from New York City was charged with murder on Wednesday after prosecutors claimed they “actively starved” their 4-year-old son and abused their three older children in their Harlem home.

Nytavia Ragsdale, 26, and Laron Modlin, 25, face numerous charges including second-degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and four counts of endangering a child’s welfare as reported by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Records show that both are being held without bail.

Initially, they were charged with second-degree manslaughter last month. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg mentioned that the severity of the new charges reflects the “extreme neglect and ongoing abuse with a lack of care.”

Prosecutors allege that Ragsdale and Modlin starved their son, Jah’Meik Modlin, along with his siblings—aged 5, 6, and 7—over a period of about two years, while they ensured they had food for themselves each day.

“The death of Jah’Meik Modlin, an innocent four-year-old child, is a tragedy that has deeply affected this city. His slow and painful death from starvation, along with his older siblings, in the heart of Harlem is a significant concern for all of us,” Bragg stated.

Jah’Meik Modlin Found Unresponsive in His Home

According to prosecutors, Jah’Meik Modlin was pronounced dead at a hospital after being discovered unresponsive at his home on October 13. He received end-of-life care until he passed away around 5:50 a.m. on October 14.

When he died, Jah’Meik weighed roughly 19 pounds and had “virtually no body fat,” prosecutors reported. The normal weight range for a 4-year-old boy is between 30 to 44 pounds, according to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Prosecutors stated that Jah’Meik suffered from severe malnutrition, dehydration, and starvation. Court documents revealed that Ragsdale and Modlin had “actively starved” their four children while maintaining a full refrigerator for themselves.

The refrigerator, which contained fresh produce, was reportedly turned away from the wall to prevent it from being accessed, and the food cabinets were zip-tied shut.

Prosecutors described the living conditions as unsafe and unhealthy, noting that one bedroom in their three-bedroom apartment was “covered in feces.” Furthermore, it was the only room locked from the outside, allowing someone to trap an individual inside.

“The floor was obscured by dirt and excrement, while the walls showed signs of feces to a height typical of a child,” said the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. “In addition, the room had only a few broken furniture pieces and a mattress, standing upright and also covered in feces.”

All four children were not enrolled in school and hadn’t seen a doctor in more than two years, as prosecutors noted. Ragsdale and Modlin restricted family and friends from visiting in person, limiting interactions to phone or video calls, which kept the children isolated as their condition declined.

When Jah’Meik and his siblings reached the hospital last month, they were covered in dirt and had feces in their hair. The three older siblings, who remain hospitalized due to malnutrition, also displayed very limited motor skills and were unable to use utensils or feed themselves, according to prosecutors.

Since their hospitalization, the three siblings have begun to regain some motor skills, prosecutors stated.

Reports Indicate Previous Notifications About Child Neglect

The family had prior interactions with New York City’s child welfare agency, the Administration for Children’s Services. The New York Times reported that the agency was aware of abuse and neglect allegations dating back to 2019, but closed the last case in 2022.

According to the Times, Ragsdale’s sister, Nyisha Ragsdale, and Modlin’s mother, Laura Jones, are seeking custody of the surviving siblings. Nyisha has also announced her intention to sue the city for failing to protect Jah’Meik, as reported by The Times and NBC News.

Nyisha Ragsdale filed a $40 million notice of claim on October 24, alleging that the Administration for Children’s Services was previously alerted to neglect and malnourishment involving the family.

Despite these alerts and requests for help from Nytavia Ragsdale, the claim suggests that the agency “failed to remove Jah’Meik from his dangerous environment, allowing his condition to deteriorate, which ultimately led to his death.