Parents Plead Guilty To Allowing Infant To Starve To Death

MOUNT VERNON, NY —A Mount Vernon couple have each entered guilty pleas to criminally negligent homicide in connection to the death of their six-week-old baby in May of 2018.

“This is a horrible tragedy and loss of innocent life,” Westchester District Miriam Attorney Rocah said in a statement announcing the pleas. “Neglect of this infant led to an avoidable death. Parents have an obligation to provide proper care for their children.”

SEE ALSO: Baby Starves To Death, Parents Charged

Both parents, Henry Lantigua and Shannelle Straker, were later charged in the death which occurred in Straker’s home in Mount Vernon.

Police and EMTs answered 911 calls from both Lantigua and Straker. First responders at the time found that the infant was unresponsive upon their arrival.

The baby was pronounced dead at nearby Montefiore-Mount Vernon Hospital.

Medical and emergency workers, including EMS, police officers and emergency room personnel, reported that the baby was emaciated and had a severe rash covering most of her body and her face. The medical examiner ruled that the infant’s death was a homicide and that the baby girl died from being undernourished. The six-week-old weighed only slightly more than she did at birth.