A Bronx mother mourning the loss of her teenage daughter is pressing New York City for records she says could reveal what happened in the final moments before the 18-year-old died by suicide inside an NYPD holding cell, using her sweater to strangle herself.
Thomasina Cheatham, 46, whose daughter, Saniyah Cheatham, died while in custody at the NYPD’s 41st Precinct in the Bronx after being held overnight on the Fourth of July in 2025, has filed a petition against the city, alleging officials failed to respond to her Freedom of Information Law request for records tied to the teen’s death.
Court papers filed Sept. 3 in Manhattan Supreme Court say Saniyah was in the midst of a mental health crisis when she was taken into custody at a party in Crotona Park following a physical altercation with her girlfriend.
According to the filing, the teenager allegedly told officers she was suicidal and warned that she would harm herself if she was left alone.
The petition does not make clear how Thomasina learned of her daughter’s alleged statements about suicidal thoughts.
Still, Saniyah was placed by herself in a holding cell at the Longwood Avenue stationhouse, where she was later discovered dead at about 1 a.m. on July 5, 2025.
“Despite her clear need for mental health intervention, NYPD officers ignored her statements and placed her in a holding cell by herself,” the petition states.
Thomasina contends that city officials failed to provide her daughter with appropriate care and is now seeking the complete FDNY file connected to the EMS response after Saniyah was found dead.
She says the fire department has repeatedly denied both her records requests and appeals, even though, as a public agency, it is required to release Saniyah’s file. Her initial request was allegedly submitted in February.
“These preventable failures are inexcusable and we will use every legal avenue to uncover the truth, protect the evidence, and seek full justice for Saniyah’s family,” civil rights attorney Ben Crump said in an October 2025 statement.
Thomasina also filed a separate petition in November 2025 seeking the names of the NYPD officers who arrested Saniyah and had responsibility for her custody on the night she died.
In that filing, she further demanded access to all body-worn camera footage, surveillance video and records connected to her daughter’s arrest, detention and death.
At the time of Saniyah’s death, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson acknowledged her family’s concerns.
“At a time when we continue to work to build trust and partnership with the NYPD, we must also ensure that this family’s pain and trauma is (sic) acknowledged as they seek answers and justice for Saniyah,” Gibson wrote in a statement.
Thomasina, her attorney Jeremy Ravinsky, counsel for the city, and the NYPD did not return requests for comment. The FDNY declined to comment.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
