A tragic incident unfolded in the Bronx, where a mother and her disabled son were found dead in their home, leaving a 4-year-old girl alone with the bodies for an unknown period of time. The girl, identified as Promise, survived by eating chocolate, according to authorities and family members. The deceased were identified as Lisa Cotton, 38, and her 8-year-old son, Nazir Millien.
Cotton, who suffered from asthma, is believed to have died from cardiac arrest, while Nazir, who was born prematurely and relied on a feeding tube, may have died from starvation. The bodies showed no signs of trauma, and the exact time of their deaths remains unclear. Promise was found on her mother’s bed by an older sibling who had come to check on the family. She was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
The grim discovery was made after neighbors reported a foul odor emanating from the apartment for weeks. Police had conducted a welfare check on the family earlier in the week after receiving an anonymous 911 call, but found no cause for concern at the time. Neighbors reported not having seen Cotton or her children for two weeks.
The situation came to light when Cotton’s father, Hubert, received a call from his daughter’s landlord asking if she had moved out. Unable to reach his daughter, Hubert sent Cotton’s oldest daughter to check on the family. Upon entering the apartment, she found Nazir’s body and Promise alone, eating chocolate on her mother’s bed.
Hubert, originally from St. Kitts, revealed that his daughter may have been struggling with bipolar disorder. He is now caring for Promise, who has remained largely silent since the incident, at his home in the Bronx. The grieving grandfather is also grappling with the challenge of arranging for the burial of his daughter and grandson.
The deaths have left the community in shock, with many questioning how such a tragedy could have occurred. Cotton had a pending case with the Administration for Children’s Services and had been arrested in June 2021 on child abandonment charges. Neighbors recalled instances of erratic behavior, including talk of suicide and threats against the community.
The Administration for Children’s Services is now investigating the case. Some residents believe that more could have been done to protect the children, criticizing the agency for not taking more decisive action when concerns were raised about Cotton’s mental health.