Zaniyla Hill.

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

What began as a mysterious medical emergency for a one-year-old New York girl has now been ruled a homicide, sparking a multi-agency search for answers.

Zaniyla Hill died Wednesday, Aug. 6, days after she was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Troy unresponsive, Watervliet Police revealed Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Her mother, Elisha Hil, told investigators she dropped Zaniyla off at a friend’s home in Troy on Friday morning, Aug. 1, while she went to work. She later received a call saying the toddler was “making long spit bubbles” and lying on her back — behavior Hill said was unlike her daughter.

Hill returned to the home and found Zaniyla unresponsive, police said. The child was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Troy before being transferred to Albany Medical Center, where she died five days later.

An autopsy determined Zaniyla died from a lack of oxygen to the brain caused by inner skull bleeding, police said. Investigators believe the injuries occurred on the same day she was babysat by Elisha’s friend, though the exact time and location of the trauma could not be identified.

Her death has been officially classified as a homicide and remains under active investigation by Watervliet Police, Troy Police, and New York State Police.

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is urged to call the anonymous tip line at 1-866-313-8477.