A New York social worker who was brutally beaten while attempting a home visit in Westchester County last month died from her injuries on Wednesday.
Maria Coto, 56, had been on life support since a man savagement punched and kicked her when she mistakenly knocked on his door on the third floor of a building in Peekskill, WCBS reported.
The man, 31-year-old Haseem Jenkins, was charged with attempted murder and assault for the May 14 attack, CrimeOnline reported.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office told The New York Post Wednesday it will pursue “all appropriate charges given the change in circumstances.”
Coto ran to a neighbor’s apartment after the attack, as CrimeOnline reported. Jenkins was shouting, “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill you, b****. I’m going to kill you, b****,” the neighbor said.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer issued a statement saying the county was “heartbroken” to learn of Coto’s death.
“Maria was a dedicated employee of the Westchester County Department of Social Services, who was brutally attacked while selflessly performing her duties,” he said, according to WCBS. “It is enraging that someone whose life was devoted to helping others was viciously taken from her friends and family. While we are committed to ensuring that justice is served in this case, at this moment, we wish to only focus on remembering Maria for her warmth, courage and commitment to doing good and helping people. Today, we all mourn her loss and grieve alongside her friends and family.”
Latimer approved a contract to expand security for caseworkers after the attack.
