A Minnesota woman, Saynab Abdullahi Dahir, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter and child endangerment following the death of her 3-year-old son, Adnan Abdullahi.
Authorities allege that Dahir deliberately starved her child, leading to his death in July 2023, after he collapsed at a park in Eden Prairie.
The case has since revealed disturbing details about Dahir’s treatment of her children, including allegations of forcing them to vomit as punishment for weight gain.
The Tragic Events Leading to Adnan’s Death
The investigation began after Adnan collapsed at a park in June 2023, appearing severely malnourished. When first responders arrived, they found that Adnan’s ribs were clearly visible, his joints swollen, and his limbs poorly developed. Several of his teeth were missing or broken.
Dahir reportedly told authorities that Adnan had been ill for about a week before the incident. She mentioned that he had refused to eat solid foods the day before, and when he collapsed, his eyes rolled back, prompting bystanders to call 911.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed the boy’s severe malnutrition and dehydration, which led to his cardiac arrest. A CT scan revealed brain volume loss, likely caused by prolonged malnutrition.
Despite these alarming signs, Dahir allegedly continued to deny any symptoms and claimed that she hadn’t taken her children to the doctor because she was “too busy with the kids.”
Allegations of Abuse and Interference
Further details surrounding Adnan’s hospitalization suggest that Dahir repeatedly interfered with his medical care. She allegedly manipulated his jaw and airway, even after staff warned her that such actions could interfere with treatment.
On one occasion, she had to be physically removed from his room after obstructing medical equipment. Medical staff also witnessed her attempting to harm her son by making him bite his own tongue, pressuring his chest, and applying pressure to his throat.
Adnan passed away on July 13, 2023, and the cause of death was attributed to a brain injury caused by cardiac arrest, compounded by staph infection, strep throat, bronchopneumonia, malnutrition, and an E. coli-based urinary tract infection. His autopsy showed he weighed just 25 pounds at the time of his death, well below the healthy weight for his age.
Abuse of Dahir’s Other Children
The investigation into Adnan’s death led authorities to uncover disturbing details about the treatment of Dahir’s other children. The children revealed that Dahir had been forcing them to vomit as punishment for gaining weight.
Some of them claimed she would insert objects into their throats to induce vomiting or physically sit on their stomachs until they threw up. Others described how Dahir would use her fingers to make them vomit. The children also mentioned that the punishment was applied to them all, regardless of whether they had gained weight or not.
The children told authorities that they were afraid of doctors, claiming their mother had taught them that “doctors kill people.” When placed in the care of their father, the children were medically evaluated and found to be underweight. However, once in his care, they began to gain weight and improve their health.
Dahir’s Legal Status
Dahir has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, four counts of child endangerment, and harassment-stalking. She is not currently listed as an inmate in the Dakota County Jail, and her next court appearance is scheduled for August 6.
The authorities are continuing to investigate the abuse allegations, and the surviving children are now in the care of their father.
The case has shocked the community, shedding light on the extreme measures Dahir allegedly took to punish her children. Adnan’s tragic death has raised serious questions about the conditions under which Dahir’s children lived and the role of neglect and malnutrition in their suffering.
The ongoing investigation and the criminal charges against Dahir highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable children from abuse and ensuring their well-being.
