Massachusetts woman charged with Manslaughter after toddler dies after being left unattended

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois today announced that charges against 41-year-old Aimee Cotton of Martha’s Vineyard, have been upgraded to manslaughter, following a thorough investigation into her involvement of allegedly leaving a young child unattended in her vehicle that was in her care. 

Last Thursday, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the Dukes County Regional Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from Aimee Cotton, she stated that a child whom she babysits for was not breathing and turning blue and was requesting assistance.

Upon the arrival of first responders, they found Cotton preforming CPR on the young toddler in the 2nd row passenger seat area. Oak Bluffs Police and EMS took over emergency lifesaving efforts and subsequently transported the toddler to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Emergency Room. The toddler was ultimately transported by Boston Medflight helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition. 

On Friday, Aimee Cotton was arraigned in the Edgartown District Court on the charges of A& B on child w/ injury and Reckless Endangerment of Child. The Commonwealth requested $10,000 bail; Cotton was held on $2,800 w/conditions of release. 

On Wednesday, the two-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries at Mass General Hospital that he sustained while in the unattended vehicle. The charges against Aimee Cotton have been upgraded to Manslaughter. 

The charges stem from an investigation by The Oak Bluffs Police Department, and the MA State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Leigh Scalice, Chief of Child Abuse and Vulnerable Victims.

Aimee Cotton was arraigned in the Edgartown District Court on the charge of Manslaughter today. The Commonwealth requested that Cotton be held on $50,000 bail. Cotton was held on $21,000 bail w/ GPS and is due back in the Edgartown District Court on April 3, 2025, for a Probable Cause hearing. 

According to the report released by NBC10 Boston, Cotton later admitted that the child had been in the car around three hours. She also admitted that she did not give the child food, water or supervision during that time.

District Attorney Galibois’ stated that his thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the young toddler during this incredibly difficult time.