A four-year-old girl has been found alive in a New York apartment alongside the bodies of her deceased mother and eight-year-old brother. Authorities believe the child survived for days by eating chocolate, a revelation that has shocked and saddened the local community.
The Alarm Raised by a Landlord
The tragic discovery was made on Friday when Lisa Cotton, 38, and her son Nazir Millien, eight, were found deceased in their Bronx home. Concern arose after the family’s landlord reached out to Lisa’s father, 71-year-old Hubert Cotton, inquiring if Lisa had moved out.
“I had been trying to call her for days and she never answered. I figured she didn’t answer me because she didn’t want to talk to me,” Hubert told the New York Post. Distressed by the lack of communication, Hubert sent Lisa’s eldest daughter to check on them, leading to the heartbreaking discovery.
A Tragic Scene Unfolds
Upon entering the apartment, Lisa’s eldest daughter found Nazir, who was disabled and reliant on a feeding tube, slumped in his chair. She then located Promise, the four-year-old, in her mother’s bed. “She picked her up and ran out and called the police,” Hubert recounted.
The 911 call transcript revealed disturbing details, including the presence of “bugs crawling” on Nazir’s body. Neighbors had reportedly complained of a foul odor for weeks, describing it as smelling like “death.”
Delayed Intervention Raises Questions
Despite these complaints, police had conducted a welfare check on Tuesday after receiving an anonymous 911 call. Officers found no immediate cause to break down the door, citing the absence of noticeable odors or noises. One neighbor stated, “[The police] said they’d be back in a few days. One of the social workers said she was trying to get a court order to have the door broken in.” This delay has raised concerns about systemic failures that may have prevented a more timely intervention.
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The Likely Cause of Death
Initial investigations suggest no signs of trauma on the bodies. Authorities believe Lisa, who had asthma, may have suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, leaving Nazir to starve. Meanwhile, Promise is believed to have survived by consuming chocolate found in the home. She was taken to a local hospital and is reportedly in stable condition.
A Family in Mourning
Hubert Cotton, now caring for Promise, shared his grief and love for his grandson Nazir, who he described as “so small. I held him in my palm. Like a bird, like a young bird.” He expressed concern about the emotional toll on Promise, noting that she often looks at him “like she knows something” but has yet to speak about her ordeal.
Hubert also spoke about Lisa’s struggles with mental health, stating she may have suffered from bipolar disorder. “I’m sorry . . . Two of them. How am I going to get the money? To bury both of them?” he lamented.
A Troubled Past
Lisa Cotton had an open case with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and had faced child abandonment charges in 2021. During that incident, she was accused of acting erratically, including swinging a stroller with her daughter and setting a wig on fire. Police reports indicate she walked away from her child during the event, though the case was later sealed.
Calls for Accountability
Neighbors and community members have criticized the handling of the situation. Eric Perez, a resident in the building, said, “The landlord hadn’t done wellness checks. People had called, neighbors called. It just smells like rat infested . . . the exterminator said the same thing — the smell is similar to rats and even death.”
This tragedy underscores the need for stronger protocols in responding to welfare concerns and more robust support systems for families in distress. The survival of Promise offers a glimmer of hope amid overwhelming sorrow, but the unanswered questions surrounding the deaths of Lisa and Nazir linger, demanding justice and reform.
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