THE BRONX — The father of the college-bound teenager who died in her Bedford Park home was arrested for the murder, according to the NYPD.
Andrew Atkins, 56, was arrested Tuesday after the Medical Examiner’s Office determined his daughter’s death was a homicide. He was charged with murder in the second degree and manslaughter, according to court records.
Latia Taylor-Atkins, 19, died in her apartment on 201st Street Friday after getting in an argument with her mother about staying out late, family said.
“She was mouthing off,” said her mother Virginia Taylor in a Monday interview. “I went away. I went in my room and when I came back my daughter was on the floor.”
She was transported to Montefiore Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, a police spokesman said.
Taylor confirmed that her husband was involved in the argument but said that he didn’t cause their daughter's death. She declined to speak about the arrest when reached Wednesday afternoon.
“Let my daughter rest in peace,” she said.
Sources said Atkins restrained his daughter during a family argument.
The DA's office based the charges on an official investigation that included Atkins' statement, witness interviews and the medical examiner's report.
His next court appearance will be June 23 at Bronx Criminal Court.
Taylor-Atkins' funeral will be held Wednesday, June 18 at Greenpasture Baptist Church, where she was an active member, at 7 p.m., her mother said.
