111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel: (914) 995-3586
Fax: (914) 995-2116
June 11, 2014 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that an indictment was unsealed today against Nicole Diggs (DOB 08/25/82) of 879 East 178th St., Bronx, New York charging her with:
- one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class "E" Felony,
- one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class "A" Misdemeanor.
relating to the death of her daughter, eight-year-old Alayah Saverese.
An arrest warrant remains active regarding a second individual involved in the child's death.
From Nov. 1, 2011 until June 25, 2012 the defendant, the child's biological mother and a New York City Public School Special Education teacher, engaged in an ongoing course of neglect that ultimately led to the death of eight-year-old Alayah Savarese.
During the time frame outlined in the indictment, the defendant lived at 193 Ashburton Ave. in Yonkers.
Under her care Alayah failed to thrive. The defendant failed to provide Alayah, a severely disabled child with cerebral palsy and a serious seizure disorder, with adequate food.
Throughout this time frame Nicole Diggs did not take Alayah for appropriate medical care including a specialist to address her need for increased nutrition. Alayah's health and hygiene were severely neglected. She was frequently left in dirty clothes and unbathed.
Although Alayah attended the Cerebral Palsy School of Westchester, where she received physical, speech and occupational therapy, the defendants frequently kept her at home with inadequate supervision.
Bail was set at $25,000 cash or bond.
Her next court appearance will be on June 24, 2014.
She faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison.
Second Deputy District Attorney Audrey Stone, Chief of the Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant District Attorney Courtney Johnson of the Child Abuse Bureau are prosecuting the case.
In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
