A Brooklyn mom and dad were charged with manslaughter Friday, more than a year after their 4-year-old son was exposed to a batch of lethal fentanyl at a shelter where they were staying, and died from a drug overdose, authorities said.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez expressed empathy for the parents of young Aron Sklar, who died March 4, 2025, in an East Flatbush facility where they were living.
But that didn’t stop him from holding them responsible for the boy’s death, and charging them with serious crimes.
“This indictment alleges a heartbreaking level of neglect that resulted in a fatal overdose of a 4-year-old boy,” Gonzalez said in a statement announcing charges that include criminal possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child.
On March 4, 2025, Yitzchok Sklar called a volunteer emergency medical service to report that the child was foaming at the mouth and making unusual noises. Shortly after the call ended, and moments before first responders arrived, Sklar was allegedly captured on video surveillance footage rushing out of the shelter to hide a black bag. (U.S. Department of Justice)
“Parents have a fundamental responsibility to keep their children safe, and by allegedly allowing fentanyl and other narcotics into their residence, these defendants failed in that duty,” the D.A. said. “This prosecution seeks to ensure that there is accountability for Aron Sklar’s senseless death.”
According to an indictment, Yitzchok Sklar, 33, and Miriam Elkayam, 27, were in possession of fentanyl when they were living with their son at a Win (formerly known as Women In Need) shelter on Glenwood Road near Schenectady Ave.
Cops said the drugs were being kept there to be sold.
The city medical examiner’s office ruled Aron’s death a homicide, caused by acute mixed-drug intoxication, including fentanyl.
An NYPD Crime Scene Unit van at a homeless family shelter on Glenwood Road in Brooklyn after a 4-year-old boy allegedly ingested a controlled substance on March 4, 2025. (Kerry Burke / New York Daily News)
Sklar along with his accused supplier, Ahuva Katzin, 33, was hit with federal drug charges.
Even after little Aron’s death, Sklar and Katzin kept selling deadly drugs, with the two sending messages to each other agreeing to watch what they said about the boy’s fate, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said the couple called 911 around 8 a.m. that morning when Aron became sick and unresponsive.
First responders found the victim “unresponsive, with shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils and a bluish tinge to his skin,” according to court records.
According to prosecutors, a paramedic asked the parents if drugs were involved.
Elkayam told them that there were drugs in the apartment, officials said.
On March 4, 2025, Yitzchok Sklar called a volunteer emergency medical service to report that his son was foaming at the mouth and making unusual noises. Shortly after the call ended, and moments before first responders arrived, Sklar was captured on video surveillance footage rushing out of the shelter (right) to hide a black bag (left). (U.S. Department of Justice)
Officials said said that a video shows that after calling 911, Sklar left the apartment with a bag containing cell phones and fentanyl, which he put into a car rented in Elkayam’s name.
Prosecutors said drug paraphernalia was found inside the home, including several bongs.
In addition, officials also said that last month, Sklar was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, among other counts.
Sklar was remanded without bail and Elkayam was held on a $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond. They were ordered to return to court on May 1.