July 7, 2025 BRONX, NY – A family's Fourth of July joy has been shattered by an unimaginable tragedy, as a Bronx mother grapples with the mysterious death of her 18-year-old daughter while in NYPD custody. The incident, which unfolded over the holiday weekend, has sparked an internal investigation and left a community reeling with unanswered questions.

Saniyah Cheatham, a vibrant Bronx Community College student, was enjoying a family cookout in Crotona Park last Friday, sharing laughter and embraces with her mother, Thomasina Cheatham. "We were hanging out, having a good time. 'Mommy, I love you,' giving me a kiss," a tearful Thomasina recalled.

Just hours later, that happy memory turned into a nightmare. Thomasina received a devastating call: Saniyah had been found unresponsive in a jail cell at the NYPD's 41st Precinct in the Bronx. Saniyah and a friend had been arrested earlier that day following an alleged altercation.

"And now to wake up that she's no longer here with us, it's really sickening," Thomasina Cheatham shared, her voice heavy with grief. "I haven't slept. I haven't eaten since Saturday. I'm sorry."

A Deep Dive into the Unknowns Surrounding Saniyah Cheatham's Death

The official account from the NYPD states that at approximately 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, officers at the 41st Precinct requested EMS for an unconscious female prisoner. According to the department, multiple officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Saniyah was then transported to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The NYPD's Force Investigation Division has launched an inquiry into the incident.

However, for Saniyah's family, the official statement offers little comfort and far more questions. The most pressing among them, according to Thomasina, is: How did her healthy daughter stop breathing while in police custody?

"She's very healthy. What was the medical emergency?" Thomasina questioned, her voice cracking with emotion. "How could that happen in a precinct? Was anybody watching her? Was she calling out for help?"

Saniyah Cheatham

Seeking Transparency: Calls for Video Evidence and Medical Reports

Thomasina Cheatham is now banking on the transparency that police surveillance and body camera footage might provide. She believes these recordings could be crucial in shedding light on the events leading up to her daughter's death. "The cameras should show exactly what happened," she asserted.

The family also eagerly awaits the results of the medical examiner's report, which has not yet been released. "Yes, I'm praying that it does. I'm really praying. This is very heartbreaking to me and my family," Thomasina said, her voice filled with anguish. "That was my only princess. I have four boys and one girl. And we just... we just are really heartbroken right now."

As the internal investigation continues, the Bronx community, alongside Saniyah's grieving family, waits for answers, hoping that justice will be served and the full truth of what transpired in that jail cell will come to light.This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.