A Bronx mother and her 8-year-old disabled son were found dead in their apartment while a 4-year-old girl survived alone for an unknown period before authorities made the tragic discovery.
At a Glance
- Lisa Cotton, 38, and her 8-year-old disabled son were found deceased in their Bronx apartment with no visible signs of injury
- Ms. Cotton’s 4-year-old daughter was discovered alone but alive in the apartment and is now in stable condition at a hospital
- The discovery followed a 911 call from Cotton’s 17-year-old daughter who went to check on her family
- Family members revealed Cotton faced significant stress caring for her disabled son who required a wheelchair
- The city’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner is investigating to determine the cause of death
Tragic Discovery in Bronx Apartment
Law enforcement officials made a heartrending discovery in a Bronx apartment when they found 38-year-old Lisa Cotton and her 8-year-old son deceased, while her 4-year-old daughter remained alive but unattended. The authorities responded after Cotton’s 17-year-old daughter, who does not live in the residence, called 911 after checking on her family. Police reported finding no obvious signs of injury on either Ms. Cotton or her son, leaving investigators searching for answers about what caused this tragic incident.
The 4-year-old girl was immediately transported to Montefiore Medical Center where she remains in stable condition. Investigators have not determined how long Ms. Cotton and her son had been deceased or how long the young girl had been left alone in the apartment. This unanswered question adds another layer of tragedy to an already devastating situation as authorities work to piece together the timeline of events.
Mother’s Struggle with Caring for Disabled Son
Family members have shared details about the challenging circumstances Ms. Cotton faced daily. Her 8-year-old son suffered from a disability that prevented him from walking or eating solid foods, requiring constant care and attention. The boy needed a wheelchair for mobility, creating significant hardship in their apartment building, which lacked elevator access. These difficulties compounded the everyday challenges of raising two young children as a single mother.
Akim Cotton, Lisa’s brother, spoke about the overwhelming stress his sister experienced while caring for her disabled son. The physical demands of carrying a child who required a wheelchair up and down stairs in a building without elevators created daily hardship. Neighbors in the building recognized these struggles, with some offering assistance to the family who they described as facing difficult circumstances with limited support resources.
Community Response and Investigation
Neighbors have described Ms. Cotton as a caring mother who loved her children deeply but appeared troubled at times. One neighbor named Sabrina revealed she occasionally cooked meals for the family, highlighting the informal support network that attempted to assist Cotton with her challenging situation. The community’s reaction reflects both shock at the tragedy and recognition of the difficult circumstances the family endured.
The city’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner continues its investigation to determine the exact cause of death for both Ms. Cotton and her son. With no visible injuries reported, authorities are considering multiple possibilities as they conduct a thorough examination. The investigation will involve toxicology reports and detailed medical analysis to provide answers to a grieving family and concerned community seeking to understand this heartbreaking situation.
