NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 3, 2025) –– National civil rights attorney Ben Crump, on behalf of the family of Saniyah Cheatham, issued the following statement regarding today’s filing of a Notice of Claim against the City of New York and the NYPD:
“Today we took the first step toward justice for 22-year-old Saniyah Cheatham, who was found dead in a holding cell at the NYPD’s 41st Precinct. Officers knew she was in mental health distress and threatening suicide, yet they failed to follow required safety protocols and failed to intervene, even though she was visible on surveillance video. 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.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
