Peekskill man indicted in fatal attack on westchester social worker

WHITE PLAINS, NY – A Peekskill man has been indicted on multiple charges, including murder, following the fatal assault of a Westchester social worker. Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the indictment today, stressing the severity of the attack that led to the death of 56-year-old Maria Coto.

Coto, a case worker for the Westchester County Department of Social Services, was conducting a site visit in Peekskill on May 14 when she was brutally attacked. According to DA Rocah, Maria Coto was performing her duties when she fell victim to a “ruthless and brutal attack” by Hasseem Jenkins, 31, which ultimately resulted in her tragic death.

Jenkins has been charged with two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Burglary in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, all felonies, and one misdemeanor charge of Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Judge Anne E. Minihan and remains in custody at Westchester County Jail, with a court appearance scheduled for August 6.

The assault occurred around 3:08 PM when Jenkins allegedly punched Coto in the face, chased her into a neighbor’s apartment, and kicked her repeatedly in the head while wearing heavy boots. Peekskill Police responded to the scene, arrested Jenkins, who resisted arrest, and recovered Coto’s cell phone from his pocket.

Coto sustained severe injuries, including a brain bleed, brain swelling, and multiple facial fractures. She was treated at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, placed on a ventilator, and remained unconscious until her death on June 19.

The case is being prosecuted by Major Case Bureau Chief Nadine Nagler and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Jones of the Trials and Investigations Division.

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