Police are probing the horrifying death of a 3-year old girl who suffocated while trapped in a sofa bed in her Harlem apartment on Sunday.
Aissante Diallo, 3, was playing at her family’s West 140th Street home around 6 p.m., when the bed retracted, trapping her and her 10-year old sister. The older girl escaped, but Aissante was squeezed inside and suffocated, sources said.
The children and their five-year-old sister had been left in the care of their mother’s boyfriend, but it is not clear whether the boyfriend was in the apartment when the tragic death occurred, sources said. Police are questioning him, sources said that so far his story has been inconsistent.
Neighbors told the Post that the sisters and their family appeared caring, well-mannered and happy.
“They are such beautiful girls, such good manners, always holding the door for each other,” said Shameere Warren, 33. “Their hair is always done perfectly, always clean clothes, dressed nice, just beautiful children. They’re always laughing and racing to the stairs when I see them.”
Warren recalled the tiny victim trying to keep up with her older sisters and being lovingly picked up and carried when she fell behind.
The neighborhood is devastated by the horrible news, building residents told the Post.
Arthur Dash, 35, lives directly below the family.
“It was a freak accident that could have happened to anyone,” he said. “These are the types of tragedies you can only pray about. This is a quiet building and a very good family. “
Investigators are waiting for the city’s medical examiner to determine the cause of death before they can determine whether anyone should be charged.