
Martha’s Vineyard woman charged with manslaughter in death of toddler in her care
A Martha’s Vineyard woman was charged with manslaughter concerning an incident in which a toddler in her care died from injuries sustained. At the same time, he was allegedly left in an unattended vehicle, the Cape and Islands DA Robert Galibois announced Thursday.
Aimee Cotton, 41, of Martha’s Vineyard, was originally charged with assault and battery on child with injury and reckless endangerment of child after the tragic Mar. 13 incident. Cotton’s charges were upgraded Thursday after the toddler succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday and “thorough investigation into her involvement,” the DA’s office said.
Just after 1 p.m. on Mar. 13, the Dukes County Regional Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from Aimee Cotton, stating “a child whom she babysits for was not breathing and turning blue and was requesting assistance,” the DA said.
When the first responders arrived, the Oak Bluffs Police and EMS stated they found Cotton performing CPR on the 2-year-old in the 2nd row passenger seat area. The responders reportedly took over the emergency lifesaving efforts and transported the young child to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Emergency Room.
The toddler was then taken Boston Medflight helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital “in critical condition,” the DA’s office said. He died of the injuries “he sustained while in the unattended vehicle” nearly a week later on Mar. 19.
The DA’s office did not initially provide further detail into the child’s injuries or cause of death.
On Mar. 14, Cotton was arraigned in Edgartown District Court and held on a $2,800 bail with conditions of release.
The defendant was arraigned again on the upgrades charge of manslaughter on Thursday and held on held on $21,000 bail with GPS, the DA said.
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“District Attorney Galibois’s thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young toddler during this incredibly difficult time,” the DA’s release said, reiterating that “all defendants are presumed innocent.”
Cotton is due back in the Edgartown District Court on April 3 for a probable cause hearing.