A 4-year-old girl was discovered alone in a Bronx apartment, where she had been trapped with the bodies of her deceased mother and brother for at least two weeks. Promise Cotton, the young girl, was rescued on Friday, April 18, after her concerned grandfather, Hubert Cotton, instructed another family member to investigate the situation.
Hubert, 71, sent his eldest granddaughter to check on Promise. Upon entering the apartment, the granddaughter found Promise and the bodies of her mother, Lisa Cotton, 38, and older brother, Nazir Millien, 8. The girl had survived by feeding herself with chocolate, according to Hubert. After finding the girl, the relative took Promise out of the apartment and contacted the authorities.
Police responded to the 911 call around 8:30 p.m. and discovered the deceased individuals. The NYPD confirmed they were pronounced dead at the scene, though the identities of the deceased were not immediately released. The New York Post later identified the victims as Promise’s mother and brother.
Promise was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation after her rescue. Neighbors reported that the bodies had been decomposing for at least two weeks before they were found. One neighbor, Sabrina Coleson, expressed frustration, stating that both the police and child services had visited the apartment earlier but did not enter.
Coleson claimed that when the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) visited the building, “They were here ringing people’s bells the day before the wellness check.” An ACS spokesperson, when contacted, said they were investigating the situation in collaboration with the NYPD, but declined to comment further.
The causes of death remain undetermined, though sources suggested that Lisa may have died from cardiac arrest, while Nazir, who had health issues and required a feeding tube, might have starved. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.
