Authorities in New York have charged a woman with murder after a 15-month-old child was found dead inside a Queens residence.
New York City police identified the child as Charlie Ramraykha, who was discovered unresponsive in his home on Monday, Dec. 29. Officers responding to a report of an assault found Charlie alongside his mother, 28-year-old Nicole Boodhai, who had slashed her wrists, according to the NYPD.
Both were taken to a nearby hospital. Charlie was pronounced dead, while Boodhai was listed in stable condition.
A neighbor told ABC 7 NY that they heard alarming screams around the time of the incident.
“The first scream was a man, for sure—it was very loud and aggressive,” neighbor Fateemah Akter said. “The second one sounded like a child, a child screaming in fear.”
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According to The New York Times, which cited a police report, Boodhai allegedly called the child’s father and said she had killed their son. Authorities believe she then attempted suicide by cutting her wrists.
Investigators reported finding pills next to the child in the bathroom where he was discovered and believe he may have ingested them, according to the same report.
The cause and manner of Charlie’s death have not yet been released, and officials have not provided additional details.
On Monday, Boodhai was arrested and charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive.
It remains unclear whether Boodhai has retained legal representation. Online court records related to the case were not available as of Wednesday.
