Buffalo woman arrested after allegedly keeping 2-year-old son in makeshift cage

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo woman was arrested in February after allegedly keeping her 2-year-old son in a makeshift cage covered in feces, New York State Police said.

Officers said they executed an arrest warrant for a previous crime on Feb. 8 at a residence on Chadduck Avenue, where they encountered 24-year-old Naesha R. Lumpkin. Police reportedly located the 2-year-old in a separate bedroom of the residence, inside the cage, which apparently consisted of a playpen covered with a piece of crib attached on three sides that prevented the child from stand up or go out.

The child and the cage were allegedly soaked in urine and covered in feces, some of which also splattered on the walls, according to police.

Police said the 2-year-old was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital, where medical evaluations revealed he had bruising to his face and body as well as two fractured ribs in the process of healing. There was no immediate update on the child’s current condition.

Lumpkin told police in an interview that the 2-year-old’s physical injuries were believed to be from his fall down the stairs in late December or early January. It is further alleged that she did not seek professional medical assistance despite the child crying, according to police.

Following a search of his residence in February, Lumpkin was taken into custody to process the arrest warrant and for an additional charge of child endangerment. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance this month and police said no updated charges will be filed at this time.

Lumpkin was issued a summons and is due back in Buffalo Municipal Court on June 13.