An 18-year-old died by suicide while in NYPD custody in the Bronx, the New York Metropolis medical expert’s workplace stated Monday.
The medical expert decided Bronx Group School pupil Sanyiah Cheatham died by hanging.
Cheatham was arrested on July 4 after getting right into a combat along with her good friend, in response to her household. She was taken to the forty first Precinct stationhouse within the Bronx. She was found unresponsive in her cell at round 12:40 a.m. Saturday, police stated. Police say officers supplied CPR till paramedics might reply.
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump is representing Cheatham’s household. They held a information convention Monday exterior the precinct, calling for accountability concerning her demise, and are in search of the discharge of surveillance video from the precinct.
Household needs NYPD to launch surveillance video
Crump stated Cheatham died in “extremely questionable circumstances.”
“We’re demanding, from NYPD, solutions. It has been 10 days since this tragedy. How lengthy, NYPD, earlier than we launch the video? How lengthy, NYPD, earlier than the household will get solutions? How lengthy, NYPD, earlier than we get accountability for the demise of this 18-year-old youngster, this daughter,” Crump stated. “It is clear to us there should have been issues that have been missed. As a result of how does an 18-year-old wholesome woman find yourself lifeless? We’re hear to ask the NYPD to allow us to see.”
Crump stated the household needs to know why the NYPD did not stop her demise.
“Who was asleep on the wheel to the place this 18-year-old youngster ended up lifeless whereas she was in your care, in your custody?” Crump stated. “They’ve an obligation to be sure you are cared for whilst you’re of their custody. Why, why did they not look after Saniyah Cheatham.”
