Toddler Dead, Mom Arrested in Mount Vernon

A toddler was found dead Friday and the mother was arrested Saturday in connection with the death, according to news reports.

Officials learned of the Samia Yusef's death at about 5 a.m. Friday, when the aunt of the child's mother called police to 210 Washington St., according to news reports.

The Mount Vernon Police Department issued a statement saying the toddler had been dead for at least several hours. The temperature of the body was "extremely cold." The girl had significant trauma to her face and internal bleeding, the release said. The official cause of death is undetermined. Police said is possible the child's body may have been in a freezer, according to news reports.

“It was a gruesome discovery that shocked even our most senior officers on the job,” Commissioner Ronald Fatigate said in a statement, according to CBSlocal.com. “We are providing counseling services to all officers impacted on this case and are working even harder to strengthen our relationship with the community to help families in need.”

The mother, Dasia Bartee, 26, will be arraigned Monday, according to ABC7ny.com.

Police ask anyone with information to call 914-665-2500.