4-Year-Old Girl Found Alive After Two Weeks Alone with Deceased Mother and Brother in Bronx Apartment

A 4-year-old girl has been found alive after surviving for approximately two weeks inside a Bronx apartment with the deceased bodies of her mother and 8-year-old brother. The child, identified as Promise Cotton, was discovered on Friday, April 18, in a home on East 231st Street after her grandfather, Hubert Cotton, became concerned and sent another family member to check on the family.

Upon arrival, the relative found Promise malnourished and alone in her mother’s bed, alongside the corpses of her mother and sibling. She immediately removed the child from the apartment and contacted the authorities. Promise reportedly survived by feeding herself chocolate during the extended period of isolation.

New York Police Department officers responded to the emergency call just before 8:30 p.m. local time. At the scene, they found a 38-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy unconscious and unresponsive. Both were pronounced dead at the location. The deceased were later identified by family members as Lisa Cotton, Promise’s mother, and her brother, Nazir Millien.

Promise was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation following her rescue. Neighbors revealed that the bodies of Lisa and Nazir had been in the apartment for at least two weeks before being discovered. They also noted that both the police and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) had visited the apartment in the days leading up to the discovery, but reportedly left without entering.

A neighbor, Sabrina Coleson, expressed frustration, stating that ACS was present but failed to intervene. “They were here ringing people’s bells the day before the wellness check,” she said, criticizing their lack of action while Promise remained inside.

ACS released a general statement saying, “The safety and well-being of New York City's children is our top priority. We are investigating this tragedy with the NYPD.”

While the causes of death are still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that Lisa may have suffered a cardiac arrest. Nazir, who had medical complications including the use of a feeding tube, is suspected to have died from starvation following his mother's death.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing, according to the NYPD