Department of Social Services worker Maria Coto, who died after a brutal attack in May 2024 in Peekskill while she was performing her duties. 

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

A jury has found a 32-year-old man guilty of brutally attacking and murdering an on-duty Department of Social Services caseworker in Westchester last year, prosecutors announced. 

Following a multi-week trial, Hasseem Jenkins of Peekskill was convicted of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 6. 

The case stems from a violent attack on May 14, 2024, when Jenkins assaulted Maria Coto, 56, while she was performing a home visit on South Street in Peekskill. 

According to prosecutors, Jenkins repeatedly punched her, chased her into a neighbor’s apartment, and kicked her in the head while wearing heavy boots. Police later recovered Coto’s cellphone from Jenkins’ pocket after arresting him at the scene.  

Coto, who suffered severe brain injuries and facial fractures, died more than a month later on June 19, 2024, at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, as Daily Voice previously reported. 

Her death sparked widespread outrage and led Westchester County to implement new security measures for social service employees, including the option for staff to be escorted by private security personnel during community and home visits. 

District Attorney Susan Cacace said the verdict delivers long-awaited justice for Coto’s family and colleagues.

"As proved during a multi-week trial, Hasseem Jenkins beat her until the nerves in her brain stem were severed beyond repair, hurling repeated epithets as she lay dying on the floor," Cacace said, adding, "I am grateful to the jury for holding the defendant responsible for killing Maria." 

Cacace also memorialized Coto: "Maria devoted her brief time on Earth to helping others. She was a petite woman with an uncommonly generous spirit. She will live on in all the lives she touched along the way."

Following Jenkins' conviction, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins also gave a statement: "Maria devoted her career to helping others. She deserved to come home safely. Nothing will ever fully heal the pain of this loss for her family, her friends and her colleagues in the Department of Social Services.

"Maria embodied the very best of public service. Our hearts remain with them, and we continue to grieve with them," Jenkins continued.

Jenkins will be sentenced on Dec. 11.