Four-Year-Old Girl Found Alive After Surviving on Chocolate While Trapped with Deceased Mother and Brother

The community is left perplexed and deeply concerned about how a devastating incident could have been overlooked for an extended period, despite numerous red flags and grievances raised.

Some neighbors whisper about strange noises and odd behavior witnessed weeks before the discovery, while others question whether the landlord and social services failed to act decisively when alerted.

Suspicion now lingers over whether systemic oversights or negligence contributed to the heartbreaking outcome, leaving residents demanding answers and accountability as they struggle to come to terms with this devastating loss. 

A four-year-old girl, believed to have survived on chocolate, was found alive in a new york apartment alongside the deceased bodies of her mother and eight-year-old brother. 

The tragic discovery was made after the family’s landlord raised concerns and contacted lisa cotton’s father, hubert cotton, 71, to ask if lisa had recently vacated the property. 

‘i’d been trying to reach her for days, but she never answered,’ hubert told the new york post 

As hubert’s worries grew, he entrusted lisa’s eldest daughter to visit the apartment and ensure everything was in order. What she discovered was devastating.

Inside, she found her brother nazir millien, who had a feeding tube and had been born prematurely, slumped lifeless in a chair. ‘he was just slouched over when she came in,’ hubert explained. ‘He was breathing, but he was not moving.’ 

She then searched for her mother and found little hope, just four years old, sitting on Lisa’s bed and feeding herself chocolate. Hubert shared,’she grabbed him and dashed out, then dialed 911.’ The 911 transcript mentioned that she had witnessed ‘insects crawling’ on Nazir’s body. 

Residents had been voicing their concerns about a putrid smell, reminiscent of decay, for several weeks prior to the identification. Unfortunately, the exact length of time the mother and son were deceased is still uncertain. 

A few days ago, the police carried out a welfare check at the apartment located on east 231st street in the Bronx, following an anonymous 911 call.

Despite knocking, the officers did not attempt to enter the premises, as they lacked any legal authority to do so. Neighbors had informed the family that they hadn’t seen them in around two weeks, but there was no noticeable odor or noise to indicate any issues.

‘the police said they’d return in a few days,’ said one neighbor, adding that a social worker had been trying to get a court order to enter the unit. 

Neighbors also reported hearing’screaming’ from the apartment in the days leading up to the discovery. The police informed hubert that they suspect lisa, who had asthma, may have experienced a fatal cardiac arrest. Due to his inability to care for himself, Nazir is presumed to have succumbed to starvation. Neither body exhibited any indications of bodily injury. 

Promise was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, and authorities believe she may have survived by consuming chocolate she discovered in the apartment. 

Hubert, now caring for promise at his home in the bronx, mourned the loss of nazir, describing him as’so small… like a baby bird.’ though promise hasn’t spoken much, he said she looks at him ‘as if she knows something,’ leading him to believe she may be deeply traumatized by what she experienced. 

He also shared that lisa had struggled with mental health issues, including what he suspects was bipolar disorder. ‘i’m broken,’ he said through tears. ‘two of them, gone. How will I pay for their graves?

Eric Perez, a neighbor residing above the family, expressed his frustration: ‘the landlord failed to conduct wellness checks, people called, neighbors called.’ The exterminator mentioned that the smell was reminiscent of rats or even death. 

Lisa had a previous arrest in June 2021 for child abandonment and had an ongoing case with the administration for children’s services (acs). Eyewitnesses described unsettling actions, such as swinging her daughter in a stroller and igniting a wig on fire in front of a shopping center located on white plains road.

The case was reportedly sealed after the police arrived and discovered that she had left the child alone. 

Acs has assured that an investigation into the incident is still in progress. 

Result: 

The tragic incident involving a four-year-old girl, who miraculously survived after being left alone with her mother and brother, has deeply affected the bronx community and sparked discussions about the inadequacies of welfare checks and support networks.

Despite miraculously surviving, Promise’s ordeal highlights a more profound tragedy encompassing neglect, overlooked mental health issues, and systemic failures.

As the investigation progresses, uncertainties persist regarding the oversight of the warning signs and whether the tragic deaths of Lisa Cotton and her son Nazir could have been averted. For the time being, her grandfather is entrusted with her safety, but the lasting emotional impact of her ordeal may haunt her for years to come.