A Teen Was Arrested Over a Fight — Officials Say She Died by Suicide in Jail, But Family Has Suspicions

The family of a New York City teenager — who was found deceased and hanging in her jail cell earlier in July — are demanding full transparency from police regarding the circumstances of her death. 

Saniyah Cheatham, an 18-year-old student at the Bronx Community College, was arrested on July 4, NBC New York and CBS News reported, citing New York Police Department officials.

She was taken into custody following a fight, the NYPD tells PEOPLE in a statement. NBC New York and FOX 5 said the fight was with her girlfriend.

Cheatham died shortly after midnight on July 5, the NYPD said. The medical examiner’s office tells PEOPLE she died by suicide from hanging.

However, her family believes the circumstances surrounding her death need to be investigated further, according to a statement from civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the relatives.

“The NYPD claims Saniyah took her own life, but her family is demanding full transparency,” Crump’s statement said, “including the immediate release of all video, including surveillance video from inside the 41st Precinct. Saniyah was preparing to start her next semester at Bronx Community College.” 

Cheatham’s mother, Thomasina Cheatham, is disputing police accounts of what happened, per reports. 

“I don’t believe she killed herself,” Thomasina said, according to NBC New York. “Maybe she said something they didn’t like, they roughed her up. I don’t believe my daughter committed suicide.”

Saniyah did not have a history of suicidal behavior, her family told FOX 5.

Police allegedly told Thomasina that her daughter asphyxiated herself with a sweater — but, Thomasina says, Saniyah did not have a sweater in her possession that day, NBC New York and FOX 5 reported. 

At a press conference on Monday July 14, streamed by CBS New York, a bereaved Thomasina appeared with Crump in front of a crowd rallying on the teen’s behalf.

“We want to know what happened to Saniyah Cheatham, we want to know how it happened to Saniyah Cheatham,” Crump said at the press conference. 

“And we want to know why you did not prevent this from happening,” he said.

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Saniyah’s brother is calling for authorities to release her autopsy as well, NBC New York reported. The medical examiner’s office tells PEOPLE next of kin of the deceased can be granted access to the autopsy.

The NYPD Force Investigation Division is looking into the case, the department tells PEOPLE.

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