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In a shocking incident that has left the Bronx community reeling, a 4-year-old girl was discovered alone in a grim apartment, surrounded by the bodies of her mother and brother. This heartbreaking case has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of child protective services and the systemic failures that allowed such a tragedy to unfold.
Systemic failures in child protective services
Reports indicate that the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) had visited the apartment just a day before the grim discovery was made. Neighbors reported that ACS representatives knocked on doors but failed to conduct a thorough wellness check on the family.
One neighbor, Sabrina Coleson, expressed her outrage, stating, “They didn’t do anything. They were here ringing people’s bells the day before the wellness check, but they didn’t do anything.” This negligence raises critical questions about the protocols in place for responding to reports of child neglect and abuse.
A disturbing discovery
On Friday, concerned relatives finally checked on the family after hearing about the troubling conditions. They found the young girl, Promise, alone and in a horrific state, lying on her mother’s bed as insects crawled over the deceased bodies of her mother, Lisa Cotton, and her brother, Nazir Millien.
The family had reportedly been dead for at least two weeks, highlighting the dire situation that Promise had been left in. According to her grandfather, Hubert Cotton, the toddler survived by “feeding herself with chocolate,” a testament to her resilience amidst unimaginable circumstances.
History of neglect and erratic behavior
Lisa Cotton had a troubling history, including previous allegations of child neglect. In 2021, she was arrested on child abandonment charges after reportedly leaving her infant daughter unattended. Sources indicate that she had been struggling with mental health issues and erratic behavior, which may have contributed to her tragic demise.
Law enforcement officials believe that Cotton may have died from cardiac arrest, while her son, who had health complications, may have starved to death. This tragic case underscores the urgent need for reform in how child protective services handle cases of neglect and abuse, ensuring that no child is left in perilous conditions.
The Bronx community is left grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, demanding accountability and change to prevent such horrors from happening again. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on how to better protect vulnerable children and ensure that agencies tasked with their welfare are held to the highest standards of care.
