A heartbreaking case has emerged from Martha’s Vineyard, where a two-year-old boy lost his life after being left unattended in a vehicle for several hours. The incident, which occurred on March 13, led to the arrest of Aimee Cotton, a 41-year-old babysitter who was responsible for the child at the time.
According to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s office, Cotton now faces a manslaughter charge in connection with the child’s death. Authorities reported that on the afternoon of March 13, Cotton called 911, stating that the child she had been babysitting was not breathing and had turned blue.
First responders arrived at the scene to find Aimee Cotton performing CPR on the unresponsive child. Despite their efforts, the boy was transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and later airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries six days later, on March 19.
Babysitter’s Statements and Surveillance Footage
Initially, Aimee Cotton told investigators that she had left the two-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl in her car for about fifteen minutes while she attended to household chores.
However, surveillance footage from her residence contradicted her claim, revealing that the children had actually been left inside the vehicle for approximately three hours. This significant discrepancy raised serious concerns regarding Cotton’s actions and the extent of her negligence.
During further questioning, Aimee Cotton admitted that the children had been strapped into their car seats the entire time while she remained inside her home. She stated that she was cooking bacon and performing other household tasks, seemingly unaware of the dangers posed to the children left unattended in the vehicle.
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The prosecutor handling the case disclosed that the boy suffered from severe hypothermia, with his body temperature recorded as 14 degrees lower than normal upon arrival at the hospital.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following the child’s hospitalization, Aimee Cotton was initially arraigned in Edgartown District Court on March 14 on charges of Assault and Battery on a Child with Injury and Reckless Endangerment of a Child.
At the time, she was held on $2,800 bail with specific conditions for her release. However, after the child’s passing on March 19, the charges against her were upgraded to manslaughter. Cotton’s bail was subsequently increased to $21,000, and she was ordered to remain under GPS monitoring as part of the conditions of her release.
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She is scheduled to return to Edgartown District Court on April 3 for a Probable Cause hearing, where the court will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a full trial. The case has sparked outrage in the local community, raising awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles.
The Tragic Reality of Child Endangerment
The heartbreaking nature of this case highlights the devastating consequences of neglecting child safety. Leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for short periods, can result in life-threatening conditions, such as hyperthermia in hot weather or hypothermia in cold conditions.
In Aimee Cotton’s case, the prolonged exposure to the cold led to the boy’s body temperature dropping dangerously low, ultimately proving fatal. Child endangerment cases such as this one serve as painful reminders of the responsibilities caregivers bear when looking after young children.
Legal experts note that Aimee Cotton’s case will likely hinge on the extent of her negligence and whether her actions constituted reckless disregard for the child’s well-being. If convicted of manslaughter, Cotton could face significant prison time, adding another layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking situation.
The local community has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, with many calling for stricter regulations and increased awareness regarding child safety.
Advocacy groups emphasize the need for caregivers to be educated on the risks associated with leaving children unattended in vehicles, as these preventable tragedies continue to claim young lives across the country.