NEW YORK, NY — The family of Saniyah Cheatham, an 18-year-old woman, is demanding answers regarding the circumstances of her death after the NYPD claimed she took her own life while in custody. Police reported that Cheatham was found unconscious in a holding cell at a stationhouse on Longwood Avenue in the early hours of Saturday. Despite attempts to administer CPR, Cheatham was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Family’s Disbelief
Cheatham’s mother, Thomasina Cheatham, strongly disputes the NYPD’s account of the events. She maintains that there was no indication her daughter had been suicidal, especially since she had been in a happy and good mood hours before her arrest. “She was happy, and I was happy to see her,” Thomasina recalled, speaking about their time together at the family cookout on July 4.
Arrest and Allegations
Cheatham’s family explained that she and her girlfriend were involved in a physical altercation after the cookout, which led to their arrests. However, Thomasina insists that she does not believe her daughter took her own life. “Maybe she said something they didn’t like, they roughed her up. I don’t believe my daughter committed suicide,” she stated, expressing suspicions about the events surrounding Cheatham’s death.
Inconsistent Reports and Family Demands
According to police, Cheatham died after asphyxiating herself with a sweater. However, her mother pointed out a critical discrepancy: Cheatham was not wearing a sweater when she was arrested. This has further fueled the family’s belief that something went wrong while she was in police custody.
The family is now demanding the release of surveillance footage from the precinct, as well as lapel camera footage from the arresting officers. Thomasina expressed her desire to see the evidence, saying, “Oh, she hung herself on the bars. I would like to see that.”
Cheatham’s brother is also pushing for the release of her autopsy results. As of now, the medical examiner has not yet ruled on the cause of death.
Ongoing Investigation
In response to the incident, the NYPD’s Force Investigation Division has opened an investigation into Cheatham’s death. As the family seeks clarity and justice, the questions surrounding her death remain unanswered.
