BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo mother is facing a child endangerment charge after keeping her 2-year-old child in a makeshift cage, according to New York State Police.
On February 8, New York State police executed a felony arrest warrant at a home on Chadduck Avenue for a previous crime in connection to 24-year-old Naesha R. Lumpkin.
While executing the warrant, Trooper James O'Callaghan said a 2-year-old boy was found in a makeshift cage that was made from a playpen with a piece of a crib tied down on the top to prevent the child from standing or exiting.
"There was remains of food inside there. Bones from chicken wings. Bones or some sort of chicken bones. So I mean, it was something where you look at it and it was disgusting. It was something that no one would want to see. It's one of the hardest calls for any law enforcement to go and deal with," O'Callaghan said. "There were some excuses as to why the child was in that cage like that. None of them were good reasons. And let's be honest with you, anyone that has kids or anyone that has seen this picture know that there is no reason for a child to be not only living like that, but as a parent to put a child in that type of situation."
Investigators said the boy, bedding, and walls were covered in urine and feces. Erie County Child Protective Services were called and the child was taken to Oishei's Children's Hospital.
According to police, after an evaluation at the hospital, the child had two fractured ribs and bruises on his face and body.
Lumpkin allegedly told investigators that the child fell down the stairs sometime in late December 2023 or early January 2024 but she did not seek medical treatment.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said Lumpkin was processed for the arrest warrant and a new child endangerment charge. She was also issued an appearance ticket for the City of Buffalo Court on February 12, 2024.
"I mean, it doesn't make sense to lay people and it doesn't make sense to me and you. I know that. It seems like there's something missing in the legislation and that there should be a higher level charge," Keane said.
He said this is an appropriate charge and there won't be anymore — even for the 2-year-old's injuries.
"Unfortunately here, by the time this child was transported to Children's Hospital, you know, the bruising and the other injuries that were seeing were old, and would be almost impossible for us to prove," Keane explained.
So why are we just hearing about all of this three months after her arrest? O'Callaghan said they've been trying to gather evidence to directly connect Lumpkin to the injuries to her son, but haven't been able to do so.
It's unclear who the child is with now. Lumpkin remains free and is due back in court next month.
