REMEMBERING CASHMERE
Cashmere Obama Randell was a seven month old baby boy whose life was taken on June 8, 2009, in the Bronx, New York.
Cashmere was born on November 4, 2008, the night of the historic United States presidential election. His parents named him in recognition of Barack Obama's election as president.
His unusual name marked the beginning of a life filled with possibilities.
But Cashmere would never celebrate his first birthday.
At just seven months old, he suffered fatal injuries after being violently shaken and struck by his mother, Na-aisha Riley, according to investigators and a confession reported by police.
He was too young to speak, walk, or understand the violence inflicted upon him.
Cashmere depended entirely on the adults around him for protection.
Instead, his life ended before he had the opportunity to experience so many of childhood's first milestones.
Cashmere's Story
On June 8, 2009, emergency personnel responded to a home on East 222nd Street in the Bronx after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant.
The baby was Cashmere Obama Randell.
According to the original news reporting, Cashmere's mother, Na-aisha Riley, had brought him to the home of her boyfriend, Unique Jones.
Jones was not Cashmere's biological father.
Investigators alleged that Riley had violently assaulted her son before leaving him at the residence.
In a recorded confession described in news reports, Riley admitted shaking Cashmere repeatedly and striking him several times in the head, back, and side when he continued crying.
She described holding the baby by his jaw during the assault.
According to the reported confession, Cashmere was crying and looking at his mother as she struck him.
After the assault, Riley placed him on a bed.
She described hearing him gasp several times before he became silent.
Rather than seeking emergency medical attention, she left him alone.
Unique Jones later told reporters that Riley had been acting unusually when he returned home.
He said she appeared anxious to leave and did not interact with him as she normally would.
After she departed, Jones went upstairs and discovered Cashmere lying motionless.
The baby's head hung limp, and his lips and tongue appeared purple.
Jones alerted his family.
His father attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation while emergency assistance was requested.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., a 911 call brought paramedics to the home.
Cashmere was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner determined that Cashmere had suffered fatal injuries involving violent shaking and blunt force trauma to his head.
The injuries caused bleeding in his brain.
His death was ruled a homicide.
Cashmere was only seven months old.
Warning Signs and System Failures
Following Cashmere's death, Unique Jones told reporters that he had previously witnessed Riley striking the baby.
He recalled an incident during Memorial Day weekend when Riley hit Cashmere in the head because he was crying.
Jones said he confronted her and explained that hitting a crying baby would only make the situation worse.
This earlier incident was a warning sign of the danger Cashmere faced.
However, the abuse continued.
Following Riley's arrest, New York City's Administration for Children's Services reported that it had no previous history involving her.
There is no verified evidence in the available reporting that child protective services had received a formal abuse complaint before Cashmere's death.
The circumstances demonstrate how quickly violence against an infant can become fatal.
Cashmere could not explain what was happening to him.
He could not leave the home, ask for help, or protect himself.
He relied on the adults around him to recognize the danger and intervene.
JUSTICE FOR CASHMERE
Following Cashmere's death, New York City police investigated the circumstances surrounding his fatal injuries.
Authorities arrested his mother, Na-aisha Riley, who was 20 years old at the time.
According to police accounts reported by the media, Riley confessed to violently shaking and striking her infant son.
She was charged with second degree murder and assault.
Early reporting also described conflicting accounts from Riley's relatives, some of whom initially alleged that her boyfriend was responsible for Cashmere's injuries.
Unique Jones denied responsibility and stated that investigators had initially questioned him before Riley confessed.
The available reporting identifies Riley as the person charged in connection with Cashmere's death.
I have not located a verified final court judgment establishing whether Riley was convicted, acquitted, or sentenced.
Her arrest and charges are documented, but the final outcome of the criminal case remains unconfirmed.
Na-aisha Riley
Relationship to Cashmere: Mother
Charge(s): Second degree murder and assault
Conviction(s): Not verified
Sentence: Not verified
FOREVER REMEMBERED
Cashmere Obama Randell entered the world on a historic night.
Born on November 4, 2008, he was given a name that reflected the significance of the presidential election taking place that evening.
His name represented a moment in history, but his life was worth far more than the circumstances of his birth.
Cashmere was a little boy who deserved to grow and discover the world around him.
At seven months old, he was still learning the faces and voices of the people who cared for him.
He should have been able to experience his first birthday, his first steps, his first words, and all the ordinary moments that make childhood precious.
He should have been held gently when he cried.
He should have been comforted when he was frightened.
He should have been protected from harm.
Instead, Cashmere suffered fatal violence at an age when he was completely dependent on others.
His life ended on June 8, 2009, just seven months after it began.
His aunt, Ciara Lawrence, spoke publicly about the family's sadness following his death and described how relatives were coming together during their grief.
Although the available reports preserve few details about Cashmere's everyday personality, his life deserves to be remembered as more than the violence that ended it.
He was a son.
He was a nephew.
He was a little boy whose future mattered.
Cashmere Obama Randell deserved the opportunity to grow up surrounded by love, safety, and kindness.
His story remains a reminder of the responsibility adults have to protect infants who cannot protect themselves.
He was here.
His life mattered.
And he will not be forgotten.
Abuse Angels remembers Cashmere Obama Randell.
Remembered. Honored. Never Forgotten.
