Black Teen Saniyah Cheatham Dies While In NYPD Custody
For the Cheatham family, the July 4th holiday was initially a time of joy and celebration. The family had gotten together for a cookout, where 18-year-old Saniyah Cheatham was said to be healthy and in good spirits. The evening took a tragic turn only hours later after the family received news that Cheatham had died while in NYPD custody.
Thomasina Cheatham told CBS News her daughter, Saniyah, was her normal self during a Fourth of July cookout at Crotona Park. 'We [were] hanging out, having a good time. 'Mommy, I love you,' giving me a kiss. And now to wake up that she's no longer here with us, it's really sickening.'
At some point after the cookout, the NYPD arrested Saniyah Cheatham for allegedly being involved in a fight. She was taken to the 41st Police Precinct in the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx shortly before midnight. Anonymous NYPD officials with knowledge of the case told the New York Times that at about 12:15 a.m. Saniyah hanged herself with the sweater she was wearing while in her cell. An NYPD official told the Times she had only been in the cell for two minutes when she hanged herself.
In a statement sent to CBS, the NYPD said they called for Emergency Medical Services at about 12:40 a.m. and attempted CPR while awaiting medical help. Saniyah Cheatham was transferred to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It's unclear if there were any other detainees in the cell, if anyone witnessed the incident, or if Saniyah called for help.
'How could that happen in a precinct? Was anybody watching her? Was she calling out for help?' Thomasina asked in an interview with CBS.
The NYPD has said that the Force Investigation Division is looking into the circumstances surrounding Saniyah Cheatham's death. Thomasina is hopeful that security cameras in the jail and the medical examiner's autopsy will give a clearer understanding of what led to her daughter's death.
'The cameras should show exactly what happened…I'm praying that it does. I'm really praying. This is very heartbreaking to me and my family. That was my only princess. I have four boys and one girl. And we just … we just [are] really heartbroken right now,' Thomasina Cheatham told CBS.
Saniyah Cheatham's death and alleged suicide have shocked many of her close friends and family. They say she enrolled at Bronx Community College and worked so she could save up money to live on her own. Growing up, Saniyah was active in the church, which initially caused her to struggle with her sexuality. When she came out as gay to her older brother, he accepted her with no hesitation.
'That's what made our bond really close,' her older brother told the Times. 'She knew all of me, and I knew all of her. She just got me.'
Ember Baez, Saniyah Cheatham's friend and former partner, told the Times, 'Everyone who has spoken to her recently knows she's been happy. So when I heard this happened, I called her multiple times to see if it was real, and her phone just kept going straight to voicemail.'
The alleged details of Saniyah Cheatham's death bear a striking similarity to Sandra Bland, a Black woman who died while in police custody. Bland was arrested during a traffic stop and taken into custody at Waller County Jail in Texas. She was unable to post the $5,000 cash bail, and after three days in custody, she allegedly hanged herself in her cell. While Bland's death was officially ruled a suicide, there has long been skepticism over the official narrative.
Bland's death while in police custody helped bring more awareness to the #SayHerName campaign, which was launched in December 2014 by the African American Policy Forum (AAPF) and the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies (CISPS) 'to cut through this disturbing reality and resist the invisibility of Black women, girls, and femmes by telling their stories of police violence.'
From Freddie Gray, Marvin Scott III, Noni Battiste-Kosoko, and Ta'Neasha Chappell, there has been an alarming trend of Black people dying in police custody in the years since Sandra Bland's death. Sadly, Saniyah Cheatham's name is now added to that list.
SEE ALSO:
#SayHerName: Black Women And Girls Killed By Police
How #SayHerName Transformed Advocacy For Black Women
SEE ALSO
Black Teen Saniyah Cheatham Dies While In NYPD Custody was originally published on newsone.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chell, Daughtry golf outing with Trump sparks inquiry over use of NYPD security detail
NEW YORK — NYPD Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry brought their police security details along last month when they visited President Donald Trump on their personal time at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club — and the deployment is now attracting scrutiny from a city government watchdog, the Daily News has learned. Police and City Hall sources confirmed Chell and Daughtry brought their details. The City Hall source added the cops did not actually join the men on the golf course. The episode has since led to an inquiry by the city Department of Investigation after activist Brooklyn Rev. Kevin McCall filed a complaint on June 20. In his complaint, McCall said the matter 'involves the public trust' and asked DOI to determine whether the use of NYPD resources such as personnel and vehicles for the jaunt 'violated any NYPD codes of conduct or city ethics rules.' He wrote if Chell was off duty, as the department later said, 'this raises serious concerns regarding the misuse of public resources.' 'As a leader in the community, I am obligated to report concerns through the appropriate channels,' McCall said. 'At a time where we are dealing with cuts from the Trump administration, NYPD personnel resources are being used for personal gain. If this is confirmed, Chief John Chell should be fired immediately.' A city government source said the detail remained a mile or two away while Chell and Daughtry hit the links with Trump before having lunch. The City Hall source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained it was within Chell and Daughtry's rights to have detail members with them, saying they're entitled to protection even on private time. Neither Chell nor Daughtry had been contacted by DOI investigators as of Friday, the source said. Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Mayor Eric Adams, said city officials are entitled to security at all times if the NYPD determines it's necessary. Mamelak also noted that a DOI complaint doesn't mean anyone has been found liable for any wrongdoing. An NYPD spokesman said the department will 'cooperate with any DOI investigation of this matter' and added that it 'complies with the applicable rules regarding the use of Department resources and personnel.' A spokeswoman for DOI declined comment. McCall said he has been interviewed by a DOI investigator. The golf outing on the weekend of June 7 and 8 prompted broad interest as it took place as tensions ratcheted up over Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown. The outing also came amid continued scrutiny over Adams' relationship with Trump amid fallout from his corruption indictment. Chell and Daughtry, who is Adams' top public safety deputy, posted photos of themselves with Trump June 8 on social media with Daughtry calling it a 'fantastic afternoon.' Chell dubbed it 'good conversation with a few laughs and a great lunch.' 'Even the wife received a call from the big guy!' Chell added, as The News previously reported. Chell and Daughtry have landed in hot water with DOI before, including earlier this year when the watchdog agency determined they violated city rules by going after critics and journalists on social media using their official accounts. A source familiar with their Trump meeting previously told The News there was no talk about politics or immigration. But another unnamed source told the New York Post Trump promised Chell and Daughtry he wouldn't deploy the military to NYC to quell protests as long as the NYPD handled things to his liking. Trump's decision to send National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid ICE protests around that time has sparked widespread concern and criticism. Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, previously told The News that Trump personally invited Chell and Daughtry.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Video: NYPD officer dukes it out with wild brute throwing food during Starbucks morning smackdown
Exclusive new video obtained by The Post shows an off-duty NYPD detective duking it out with a maniac on a sidewalk who had been throwing food at her in a Midtown Starbucks this week, authorities said. The 39-year-old female detective was heading to work when she allegedly saw the man taking food from a case inside the Sixth Avenue and West 58th Street Starbucks without paying, and showed him her NYPD shield Friday, authorities said. She walked him out of the store, but he came back in and began hurling food at her and around the Starbucks, authorities said. Advertisement 3 The detective got into a brawl with the man after he was throwing food around inside the Starbucks on the Avenue of the Americas and West 58th Street in Midtown. Google Maps The new footage of the brawl shows the officer following the brute out and taking a fighting stance on the sidewalk. The man then lunges toward her with his fists raised they brawl, the video shows. The officer was punched in the face during the Starbucks showdown. She suffered a welt next to her eye, police sources said. She was treated on the scene. Advertisement Mohamed Riad, 27, was arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and petty larceny in the incident, according to a criminal complaint against him. The detective's union lauded the cop. 3 The man was allegedly throwing food around the coffee shop. ManuPadilla – 'It's no surprise to see an off-duty NYPD detective put themself in harm's way to protect New Yorkers,' Detectives Endowment Association President Scott Munro said. Advertisement 'It's what these courageous women and men do everyday for our city,' he said. 'We will do everything we can to make sure this violent criminal is held accountable.' 3 Police were called to Starbucks and arrested Mohamed Riad, 27, cops said. Google Maps Riad pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday night and was held on $1,000 cash bail, officials said. It wasn't clear if he was able to make bail. Advertisement Assaults on NYC cops have surged a shocking 63% over the past six years, The Post reported in May. There were 970 assaults on uniformed police officers in the city this year as of the end of May, up from the 595 officers attacked at the same point in pre-pandemic 2019, NYPD data show.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
AFR: Explosion and fires send 2 people to the hospital
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Wednesday night, a home is left in shambles with pieces of it strewn across a northeast Albuquerque neighborhood. Firefighters said fireworks caused a home to explode, leaving two people injured near Eubank Blvd. and Menaul Blvd. 'You can feel the heat from here,' said Jay Kruger in a Tik Tok video as a loud popping sound could be heard. Story continues below Crime: Albuquerque police: Child exploitation sting was a success Trending: Poll: What is the strangest town name in New Mexico? News: How could New Mexico schools be impacted by withholding of federal funds? Wildfire: Couple loses home to Trout Fire burning in the Gila National Forest The call to Albuquerque Fire and Rescue first came in around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Black smoke filled the air along Woodland Ave. 'It does appear at this time fireworks were the culprit of this explosion,' said Lt. Jason Fejer, Albuquerque Fire Rescue. 'Oh it's going down,' said Kruger, as the popping noise continued, sounding like fireworks being set off. AFR said the fire destroyed the home where it started and burned the wall of a neighboring home. The explosion that caused the fire charred two vehicles in front of the home, which AFR said is a total loss. The neighboring home, suffered heavy damage mostly from smoke but also flames. While two people were taken to the hospital for burns, AFR said all of their fire fighters are okay. 'The size of this would indicate that these are not recreational fireworks sold at the local vendors,' said Lt. Fejer. Throughout the day neighbors and residents tried to get a glimpse to see if their home is okay. And while most were relieved to find out their homes weren't damaged, it was a different story for Holly Summers. 'I got a call that my neighbor's house was on fire and that my house might be in danger,' said Holly Summers, owner of the neighboring home damaged in the explosion. Summers said she didn't have time to think about her home, she was worried about her dogs in the backyard. 'So I rushed home to get them inside and then found out my house was burned and the explosion was super loud and it scared them.' While she was able to find one of her dogs, the other is still missing. 'She's probably just really terrified. She could have run in any direction from Eubank and Menaul area,' said Summer. Summers is asking everyone to be on the lookout for her white and brindle terrier, Ursy, and if you see her call 311. AFR said they will be working with APD's bomb squad and possibly federal agencies to confirm the cause of explosion and who may be at fault. 'To have a fire of this magnitude a couple days before the Fourth of July is concerning to say the least,' said Lt. Fejer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
