Girl, 4, survives days alone on chocolate after family dies in US apartment

NEW YORK: A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in the Wakefield neighbourhood of New York City, where Lisa Cotton, 38, and her 8-year-old son, Nazir Millien, were found dead in their apartment.

According to the New York Post, the discovery was made by Cotton’s older daughter, who was sent to check on the family after relatives lost contact.

Miraculously, Cotton’s 4-year-old daughter, Promise, was found alive—covered in chocolate and lying on her mother’s bed.

Authorities told Cotton’s father, Hubert Cotton, that his daughter, who had asthma, may have died of cardiac arrest. Nazir, who was born prematurely and relied on a feeding tube, is believed to have died from starvation.

Promise survived alone for days and was hospitalised in stable condition. She is now in the care of her grandfather.

Hubert Cotton said he had been trying to reach his daughter for days. The situation became more alarming after the family’s landlord contacted him to ask if Lisa had moved out.

He then asked Lisa’s eldest daughter to visit the apartment, leading to the heartbreaking discovery. According to a 911 transcript cited by the NY Post, the sibling who found Nazir said she saw “bugs crawling on” his body.