A mother has been arrested after her daughter was found alone on a street in the Bronx.
What We Know:
- Sadeekah Abdul Salaam, 32, was released from custody on Wednesday after being charged with abandonment of a child, acting in a manner injurious to a child, and reckless endangerment. Her release comes four days after she allegedly abandoned her child while she went to a homeless shelter.
- Fox News reports that four-year-old Sidaya was found wandering the streets after midnight wearing only a sweater in 40-degree weather. She was picked up by the NYPD at the corner of East 156 Street and Prospect Avenue and taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where she was determined to be in good health.
- Police were able to recover surveillance footage of Sidaya walking with her mother just 10 minutes before she was found wandering alone. They released the video on Sunday, uncertain of the woman’s identity.
🚨UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: On 2/27/21 at approx 12:03 AM, at the corner of Prospect Ave & E 156 St in the Bronx, the child was found unaccompanied. She says her name is Sidaya and is approx 4-years-old. Any info on her identity, please call or DM @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/Ta8vNVukBY
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 28, 2021
- Salaam has refused to answer why she abandoned her daughter. She is scheduled to reappear in Bronx Criminal Court on April 22nd. It is not clear if Salaam has entered a plea deal or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.
Sidaya is being cared for by the city’s Administration for Children’s Services and will have no contact with her mother before the trial.
