A mentally ill woman and her disabled son were found dead in their New York home, while her 4-year-old daughter survived for weeks trapped inside with her mother’s bug-infested body—living only on chocolates, the New York Post reported.
The girl, Promise, was discovered Friday next to the bodies of her mother, Lisa Cotton, 38, and her 8-year-old brother, Nazir Millien, her face smeared with chocolate. The grim scene was uncovered after Lisa’s older sister visited their Bronx apartment to check on them.
More: Boy, 7, Allegedly Dies After Eating Poisoned Easter Egg in Suspected Revenge Plot
More: Iowa Man Who Felt ‘Disrespected’ After Catcalls Ignored Allegedly Shoots Mom Dead in the Street
Authorities found no signs of struggle or trauma on either body after a forensic examination. Officials told Lisa’s father, Hubert, 71, that she may have died from cardiac arrest due to her long history of asthma. Nazir, who had an underlying medical condition and relied on a feeding tube, likely starved to death.
Miraculously, Promise was in stable condition when taken to the hospital for evaluation. Though the exact time of death remains unclear, neighbors reported a foul odor for days before the discovery. The tragedy might have been uncovered sooner if not for a missed opportunity—police had previously visited the apartment after an anonymous 911 call, but left when no one answered the door.
Neighbors told officers they hadn’t seen Lisa in days, but with no signs of distress or strong odor at the time, authorities lacked justification to force entry. The breakthrough came when Hubert received a call from Lisa’s landlord, asking if she had moved out. Alarmed, he sent his eldest daughter to investigate.
More: Family Testifies in Trial Over Innocent Mother Killed in Police Chase Crash
More: Baby Dies After Tragic Fall on First Day of Caribbean Family Holiday
She made the horrifying discovery: Promise alone in the apartment, feeding herself chocolate on her mother’s bed. The case has raised questions about missed intervention opportunities, particularly for vulnerable families. Child welfare officials confirmed they had no prior involvement with the family.
Neighbors described Lisa as a struggling but caring mother, while Nazir’s disabilities required constant care. Promise is now in protective custody as authorities investigate the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking tragedy.
You Might Also Like:
- Karoline Leavitt Dodges Bombshell Question in Explosive Pentagon Leak Scandal
- Federal Judge Tears Into Trump Officials for Cover-Up in Deportation Scandal
- Prince William ‘no longer cares’ for Prince Harry?
- 33-Year-Old Alabama Mother Allegedly Shot Her One-Year-Old Daughter by Accident
- Meghan Markle Reportedly Struggling Under Pressure of Her Own Expectations