A four-year-old girl was discovered alone in a New York City apartment, where she had reportedly been living with the bodies of her deceased mother and brother for at least two weeks.
According to the New York Post, the girl, Promise Cotton, was rescued from the Bronx apartment at East 231st Street on Friday, April 18, after her concerned grandfather, Hubert Cotton, dispatched another family member to investigate the situation.
Hubert, 71, reportedly sent his eldest granddaughter to investigate, who discovered Promise and the bodies, according to the outlet. Promise survived by “feeding herself with chocolate,” according to her grandfather.
According to the Post, the unnamed relative discovered the 4-year-old alone and starving on her mother’s bed, grabbed her, fled the building, and alerted the police.
Police responded to the 911 call shortly before 8:30 p.m. local time and discovered a woman, 38, and a male child, 8, “unconscious and unresponsive, inside the location,” according to a statement from the New York Police Department (NYPD). The victims were pronounced dead on the scene.
“The identity of the deceased is pending proper family notification,” according to the NYPD. Meanwhile, the Post identified them as Promise’s mother, Lisa Cotton, and older brother, Nazir Millien.
Promise was taken from the premises on April 18 and transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation, according to the NYPD.
Sabrina Coleson, one of the family’s neighbors, told the Post that the mother and son had died for at least two weeks before their bodies were discovered.
Neighbors also told the outlet that police and child services, specifically the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New York City, had visited the apartment earlier in the week while Promise was trapped inside, but had left without entering.
Coleson told the Post that ACS employees were present but did nothing. “They were here ringing people’s bells the day before the wellness check.”
When reached on Sunday, April 20, an ACS spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but did say: “The safety and well-being of New York City’s children is our top priority.” We are working with the NYPD to investigate this tragic incident.”
The causes of death have yet to be determined, but sources tell the Post that police believe Lisa died of cardiac arrest, while Nazir, who was born prematurely and used a feeding tube, may have starved to death.
According to the NYPD, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is still ongoing.