Shanice Martin and her 6-year old son
New York, NY — A 6-year old boy who suddenly collapsed while standing in line for lunch at school appears to have died because of an injury he suffered when his mother, 24-year old Shanice Martin, slashed him in the throat back in April.
On the second day of classes at PS/MS 5 Port Morris, police were called for a boy who was found unconscious in the crowded school cafeteria. He was taken to Lincoln Medical Center in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.
According to authorities, the boy suffered a medical condition wherein foam came out from his mouth. It is believed to have been caused by a pre-existing injury on his neck that was not totally healed yet.
“They called a ‘Code Blue’ over the intercom, and they were trying to resuscitate the kid,” a school staffer told the New York Post.
Jason Nunez, an 11-year old fifth-grade student, saw what happened and said that the boy “was getting his lunch, and suddenly he just passed out. He hit his head. The blood was coming out of his mouth.”
The victim, as well as his 2-year old sister, had their throats slashed with a box-cutter by Shanice Martin, their own mother, on April 27. Martin left the children bleeding in the street before she went to the precinct while holding the bloodied blade she used and confessed to the crime.
“Go ahead and arrest me,” Martin reportedly said at that time.
Martin, who was homeless and suffering from mental health problems, has been charged with assault, child abandonment. and child endangerment for the April 27 incident. She remains in jail without bail.
Meanwhile, the school’s principal, Danielle Keane, sent a letter to parents about the incident that happened at the school, especially with the concerns of the parents who said their children were scared to go to school.
“Several students witnessed what occurred,” the letter read. “We know how devastating this news is for our school community. Our school crisis team is available to provide support for students and staff as needed. We are saddened by this loss and are here to assist our school community in any way we can.”