Wake for Nixzmary Brown, But Blame Is Just Starting

Yesterday, Nixzaliz Santiago, the mother of 7 year old Nixzmary Brown who was killed at the abusive hands of Santiago's boyfriend Cesar Rodriguez - and Santiago herself - granted jailhouse interviews with the Daily News and NY Post. She tells the Daily News that she still loved Rodriguez. She does admit that she saw/heard Rodriguez "punish" Brown that fateful night (dunking the 36 pound child in the water-filled bathtub, hitting her head against the faucet) - but went to sleep afterward. She says she was afraid of Rodriguez beating her; she also said that other female inmates at Rikers have threatened to kill her.

Santiago told the Post that Brown "had an attitude" - which is why Rodriguez would isolate her from the other children in the family. She said she didn't think Rodriguez was especially abusive and claims he never sexually abused her daughter or tied her up in a chair (a chair with ropes tied to it was found in the apartment). Both articles are particularly disturbing, because they paint a horrifying picture of spousal/partner abuse, abuse to children, and a culture of the home where the other children seem to have pointed to Brown whenever sometihng would go wrong so she could take the blame.

Various city agencies met yesterday afternoon to understand how the case seemed to have fallen through people's hands - and the NY Times says that the NYPD's role in the case is unclear, as there are conflicting reports about the level of their involvement in these kinds of cases. But most of the blame seems to be swirling around the "inaction" of the Administration for Children's Services. Rodriguez will undergo psychiatric evaluations at Bellevue. A wake is scheduled at the Ortiz Funeral Home in Manhattan at 22 First Avenue today and tomorrow and her funeral is planned for St. Mary's Church on Grand Street on Wednesday.

Photograph of a tribute to Brown outside her apartment from Newsday

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 16, 2006 9:16 AM

Comments [rss]

guest

Rest in peace little angel!

guest

Who could name a child Nixzmary? It's not a bad name. I hope the lives of those meanies who killed her are always miserable. Um about her name it's a really beautiful name. And what does Martin Luther King jr.'s wife have to do with anything? Hey Brian, was it her fault she died?! There are other ways of punishing children! And whoever speaks out against him for hitting her isn't against the troops, because the troops have nothing to do with it. When I say the name Nixzmary it reminds me of flowers and gardens. This is so sad. And her last words make me cry. When I first heard Nixzmary was dead I was thinking, how could anyone do that to there 7 year old child?

Mickey

Nixzmary did not desever all this. Cesar should get the same beatings and eat cat food and use a litter box as what nixzmary got and nixal..what ever her name is and cesar should die the same way nixzmary died. who agrees? Im 10 so i feel very bad. I could just imagine what that was like.....

tanna,england

firstly nixzmarys name no doubt suited her,after all mary is our mother in heaven.i feel for the family left out here feeling guilty that nothing was done for that poor angel...and for the brothers and sisters who watched all this happening to their sister,why did they say or do nothing??...probably because they were well aware that they would be the next on Rodriguez's sick hit list.rest easy people these people WILL suffer and Nixzmary is now at rest.RIP little poppit x x x

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

L.N. BKLYN

I Agree! Sometimes People Get Caught Up In The Mix As Opposed To Whats Really Important Nixmary. So i speak for myself when i say...... Im Sorry! Nixmary I Wish You Peace, And Harmony In Your New Home, And May You Be Blessed, And Happy Like You Deserve "Little angel"

Jennie

I can't believe some of you people would use such hateful words and sentiments in posts meant to honor (or in a few cases, bash) the memory of a sweet little angel like Nixzmary. Can't we just remember her and what her story taught us without petty bickering?

Nixzmary, your death will not be in vain. Rest in Peace and enjoy the life in Heaven you deserved here on Earth.

~Jennie

L.N. BKLYN

Hey! People Lets Not Forget!!!

L.N. BKLYN

Hey! People Lets Not Forget!!!

L.N. BKLYN

Hey! People Lets Not Forget!!!

L.N. BKLYN

Wow! Dats An Unfortunate Life Nixalis had,personally my mom hadan alcholic father, 3 drug addict brothers 2 of which died. She Never Abused Me Or Let Me Be Abused. My Father Left Me When I Was 2. I Now Have A Daughter My Self Whos 8 Like Nixmary Would Of Been. I Dont Abuse Her, Now I Guess My Point Is Nixalis May Have Had It Rough, But She Went Ahead Had 5 Kids And Only Murdered One. IF she felt that way she should of just killed herself!! ???

L.N. BKLYN

Wow! Dats An Unfortunate Life Nixalis had,personally my mom hadan alcholic father, 3 drug addict brothers 2 of which died. She Never Abused Me Or Let Me Be Abused. My Father Left Me When I Was 2. I Now Have A Daughter My Self Whos 8 Like Nixmary Would Of Been. I Dont Abuse Her, Now I Guess My Point Is Nixalis May Have Had It Rough, But She Went Ahead Had 5 Kids And Only Murdered One. IF she felt that way she should of just killed herself!! ???

anonimus

The mother of nixalis santiago is part to blame for what happend to nixmary brown. She was a very abusive mother and very unsanitary in her upkeeping of her home. nixalis has three brother and thay are drug addicts and thives, And are in and out of jail most of the time. I know the family for about 30 years so I'm not making this up. And I think nixalis is not all to blame for what happend cause of her upbringing. nixalis father was also a drug addict and left when the children were very little. so thay come from a what ever you might call it family. Just wanted to let you know and share my tought with you. thank

L.N. BKLYN

Well, Its Almost Sweet Baby Girl Nixmary's 1yr. Anniversary Wow! She Would Of Been Almost 8 Yrs Old Damn! What A Waste, I Really Iope Her Mother Is Feeling The Effects Of It Right Now. Oh! Wait The Devil Has No Feelings Of Remourse Only Hate! Wat A Waste Of A Human Being That Nixaliz, I Guess She'll Be Going Home Soon Where She Belongs..... HELL! i wont waste anymore time on that poor exuse of a person, and pay praise and honor 2 where it belongs, Nixmary Browni know your in a beautiful place, and hanging out with your "real" father God. I Hope That Your Being The Happy, Healthy Little Girl U Were Meant To Be.... Bless U Even Though I Know U No Longer Need It!

Desree

Nixzmary Brown

memorial for Nixzmary Brown's

hello Everyone who reads this! this is a sad story . about Nixzmary Brown A 7YR OLD little

Angel GIRL who was murdered by her step dad and real mom.

Heres my Prayer for Nixzmary Brown's.

Father, I thank You that it is not Your will that any should perish, and that you have made provision for the salvation of 7 yr old Nixzmary Brown's through the death and resurrection of Your son Jesus. I thank You for striving with her, and I agree with Your desire that she would turn from the things of this world and receive Christ as her Lord and Savior. I look forward to the day when she will worship Jesus as King of Kings. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.

may she rest in peace now and in jesus name & hands amen

love

Ramon and Desree velez

from:

brooklyn nyc

coney island.

as far as her parents they will get theirs no doubt.

her mom playing dumb.

and you whoever you are her name is ok

leave her alon let her rest in peace .

shes in gods hands now .

final.

from Desi.