Woman Indicted In Death Of Disabled 8-Year-Old Daughter In Yonkers

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City special education teacher has been indicted in connection with the death of her handicapped 8-year-old daughter.

Nicole Diggs, of the Bronx, was charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide and one count of endangering the welfare of a child in an indictment unsealed by the Westchester District Attorney's Office Wednesday.

The DA's office alleges that between Nov. 1, 2011 and June 25, 2012 Diggs "engaged in an ongoing course of neglect" that ultimately resulted in the death of her disabled daughter, Alayah Savarese.

Savarese had cerebral palsy and suffered from a serious seizure disorder. She was found dead in June 2012 at Diggs' apartment in Yonkers, where she lived at the time.

According to the district attorney's office, Diggs did not give Savarese adequate food and failed to take her for appropriate medical care, including a specialist to address her need for increased nutrition.

Diggs is also accused of severely neglecting Savarese's health and hygiene. The DA's office said the girl was frequently left in dirty clothes and went unbathed.

Although Savarese attended the Cerebral Palsy School of Westchester, where she received physical, speech and occupational therapy, the district attorney's office claims Diggs frequently kept her at home with inadequate supervision.

The district attorney said a second person is being sought in the case.

Bail for Diggs was set at $25,000 cash or bond. She is due in court on June 24.

If convicted, Diggs faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

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