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Who is Sadeekah Abdul Salaam? Mom abandons girl, 4, alone on Bronx street at midnight in 40-degree weather

The 32-year-old mom was charged with abandonment as her daughter is now in care of New York City's Administration for Children's Services

THE BRONX, NEW YORK: Sadeekah Abdul Salaam, 32, has been charged with abandonment by Bronx Criminal Court. The woman was arrested on March 1 after police found her four-year-old daughter, Sidaya, wandering alone at the corner of East 156 Street and Prospect Avenue on Sunday, February 28. CCTV footage from February 27 showed Sadeekah abandon her daughter Sidaya and walking away before the girl had a chance to catch up.

Sidaya was found by the police wearing nothing more than a sweater and sweatpants in 40-degree weather and taken to NYC Health + Hospitals / Lincoln for evaluation. Sadeekah is due back in court on April 22. 

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Sadeekah abandonded Sidaya at midnight as she headed to a homeless shelter. She was then arrested on Monday, March 1 after Sidaya was able to identify her to the police.

Who is Sadeekah?

Sadeekah lives in Manhattan according to the Bronx Daily. The woman was charged with reckless endangerment, abandonment of a child and act in manner injurious to a child by the Bronx Criminal Court in her arraingment. She was then released by the court. When asked by reporters why she abandoned her child, Sadeekah offered no comment. 

According to police, she did not defend her actions and has asked for a lawyer. It is unclear at this time if Sadeekah has peaded guilty when she was in court. When police found Sidaya, she was unable to tell them anything beyond her name. After being evaluated at the hospital, Sidaya was taken into child protection by New York City's  Administration for Children’s Services. During her mother's trial, she will not be able to stay in touch according to officials. 

Twitter asks 'how do you leave a child'

Shortly after Sidaya was found, the NYPD released CCTV footage on social media asking for help in identifying the child. Responding to the tweet, one user said, "Why? Just why?? Poor baby... how do you leave a child on the streets in New York in winter? Or anywhere at anytime for that matter! There are resources out there specifically for these situations. I just don’t understand people. I’ll take her. I’ll love her."

Many volunteered to take Sidaya in, with another user tweeting "This is so sad! I hope she finds a SAFE and LOVING home. If she needs one, i will adopt her in a heartbeat. What a beautiful child. God bless and watch over her." Another said, "Just terrible!!!!! I hope the mother gets the help she needs.... That poor child I hope someone can care for her much better." One more user said, "Is the woman in the video thought to be a family member,kidnapper or passerby? There are many post-covid problems everywhere, people stop being able to cope.Even the toughest succumb to the #pandemicwall. Please help this family when u find them,& thank you. " Another wondered :" Who could be this cruel, beautiful child."