Malnourished 4-year-old boy dies in Harlem, mother in custody: sources

HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) – A 4-year-old boy died in Harlem on Sunday, police said.

Police responded to a 911 call of an unconscious child in a home on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard around 7:45 p.m., according to authorities. The child’s father called 911 and then left the home, sources told PIX11 News on Monday.

The boy was taken to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the NYPD. The boy appeared malnourished and had burns on his chest, sources said.

The boy’s 26-year-old mother was taken into custody, police said. The NYPD is working with the District Attorney’s Office on possible charges.

Neighbors told PIX11 News on Monday they never saw the boy with his mother. They said she has three other children. It’s unclear where those children are, sources said.

There is no history of the Administration for Children’s Services being called to the home, according to authorities.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018 . She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here .

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