Police have said no criminality is suspected in the deaths of two 5-year-old twins in the Bronx on Monday.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny gave reporters additional details on the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths on Tuesday, though the cause of death is still unknown pending a report from the chief medical examiner’s office.
Kenny said the twins’ mother called 911 after finding both children — a boy and a girl — cold and not breathing in her bed, where they usually slept. The 911 operator instructed her on how to perform CPR, and EMS also tried to aid the children once they arrived, but both children were pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m.
“Toxicology is obviously going to take some time, but as of right now, no indication of criminality,” Kenny said. “The apartment was stocked with food, stocked with baby clothes, stocked with the necessities you would need for a child.”
The kids were reportedly both sick leading up to their deaths. The boy had been experiencing cold symptoms for around one to two weeks prior to Monday, and officials said he had been sent home from school last Tuesday, as well as on Nov. 30 because he was vomiting. The girl, meanwhile, was suffering from an ear infection, according to her mother, and authorities said she had been vomiting and “acting irrational” at school, including by biting and spitting.
“Both were found foaming at the mouth and nose at the time of their discovery,” Kenny said. “Mom indicates that the last time they were seen alive was at 5 a.m.”
Police said the boy was diagnosed with special needs and the girl was also in the process of being diagnosed.
A search warrant of the apartment revealed no narcotics or paraphernalia, and FDNY found no indication of carbon monoxide, Kenny said.
“We spoke to neighbors, we spoke to the school — all indications she’s a doting mom,” Kenny said.
Bahar Ostadan contributed reporting.
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