The family of a 4-year-old boy who was allegedly starved to death by his parents joined with local civil rights advocates to slam the city on Monday.
Investigators say Jahmeik Modlin died of chronic starvation, malnutrition and dehydration. He was just 19 pounds at the time of his death.
Modlin’s father said his son was fed and his mother told investigators he must have lost weight because he had been sick.
Cops charged his parents with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. They have both been indicted by a grand jury, but their indictments will remain sealed until they are arraigned.
They have three other children — ages five, six, and seven — and they were also severely malnourished and remain hospitalized.
“We wish to extend our sincerest apologies for the delay in our response, the gravity of this unforeseen situation has left us unprepared and we are still coming to terms with its impact, we also wish to clarify that the family was not aware of the circumstances within the household, and in light of this, we respectfully request the time and privacy necessary to process the events as they continue to unfold,’ said the victim’s aunt, Diana Kerlegrand.