Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx mother accused of murdering her daughter, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Apr 26, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Google maps
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Apr 26, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Bronx mother is facing charges of murder after allegedly killing her 6-year-old daughter last year.
Police arrested Lynija Eason Kumar, 27, on Thursday afternoon. The chief medical examiner ruled her daughter’s death a homicide in February.
According to NYPD officials, Jalayah Eason, 6, was found unconscious and unresponsive in May 2023 in the apartment she shared with her mother in NYCHA’s Forest Houses on East 165th Street in Morrisania. She was discovered with bruising and trauma around her wrists and torso, police said.
Jalayah was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police initially arrested Eason Kumar for endangering the welfare of her other two children, an 8-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. According to the Daily News, both children were taken into custody by the Administration for Children’s Services after their sister’s death, and Eason Kumar was granted supervised release without bail on those charges.
An investigation by the medical examiner's office eventually revealed that Jalayah had been beaten and malnourished, and died by suffocation, according to officials. That finding led police to arrest Eason Kumar on new charges, police said on Friday.
Eason Kumar was expected to be arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court on Friday, on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter of a person under 11 years old, and reckless manslaughter.
Information for Eason Kumar's lawyer was not immediately available.
Tagged
nypd
public safety
homicides
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
A federal immigration agent shot a Dominican immigrant in the neck in Marble Hill Thursday night.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
News
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash
By
Kaya Laterman
NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says
By
Jon Campbell
Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .