Promise Cotton Bronx was found in a heartbreaking situation on April 18, 2025, when the 4-year-old girl was discovered alone in a Bronx apartment. The child had been living in the apartment with the bodies of her deceased mother, Lisa Cotton, and her 8-year-old brother, Nazir Millien, for at least two weeks. Promise’s survival during this harrowing period was reportedly due to her feeding herself with chocolate.
Her grandfather, Hubert Cotton, became concerned when he had not heard from his daughter. He asked his eldest granddaughter to check on the family, leading to the discovery of Promise and the lifeless bodies. Authorities were immediately alerted, and the little girl was rescued from the distressing scene.

Promise Cotton Bronx: A Family’s Heartbreaking Tragedy
In the aftermath of the discovery, police and child services began their investigations into the circumstances of the deaths. The authorities believe that Lisa Cotton, 38, may have died from cardiac arrest, while Nazir, who had medical needs, may have starved to death. The exact causes of death are still under investigation by the NYPD, but neighbors have confirmed that the bodies had been in the apartment for at least two weeks.
Child services had reportedly visited the apartment earlier in the week, but they failed to enter, which has raised serious questions about the adequacy of welfare checks in this case. The tragic story has brought attention to child welfare services in New York City, especially with the recent reports of neglect.
The Impact of the Promise Cotton Bronx Case on Child Welfare
The events surrounding Promise Cotton Bronx highlight serious concerns about the role of child protective services. This case has raised critical questions about the effectiveness of wellness checks and how tragedies like this can be prevented in the future. As investigations continue, many are calling for better intervention strategies to protect vulnerable children.
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Source: www.people.com