You step into a story that demands attention: a babysitter on Martha’s Vineyard faces manslaughter charges after a two-year-old died following hours alone in a vehicle. You need to know what happened, why charges were filed, and what the timeline and legal next steps mean for the family and community.
The article breaks down the incident details and timeline so you can follow the facts clearly, and it explains the criminal and civil actions now unfolding against the caregiver. Expect straightforward reporting on the key events, evidence, and the charges that prosecutors have brought.
Incident Overview and Timeline
A two-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a parked SUV after being left there for hours, and the caregiver who was watching him faces upgraded criminal charges. Security video, emergency calls, and hospital transfer form the core timeline of events.
Events Leading to the Toddler’s Death
On the morning of March 13, the babysitter, identified as Aimee Cotton, arrived home with a one-year-old girl and the two-year-old boy. Surveillance later showed the children remained in Cotton’s vehicle from about 9:35 a.m. until at least 12:15 p.m., confined in their car seats with the engine off.
Neighbors and later investigators say Cotton performed household tasks during that interval; prosecutors say she admitted the decision was for convenience and acknowledged leaving children unattended before.
Cotton told police the children had been in her home and that she loaded them into the car around 12:45 p.m. Video contradicted that account, showing earlier and prolonged vehicle confinement. The timeline established by footage and witness accounts is central to the criminal case.
Emergency Response and Medical Efforts
Oak Bluffs police and local rescue units responded after someone found Cotton performing CPR on the boy in the parked SUV. First responders took over life-saving measures at the scene before the child was transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Medical staff at the island hospital stabilized the boy briefly and arranged an emergency flight to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for advanced care.
Despite resuscitation and transport, the child later died at Massachusetts General. Prosecutors say the boy “succumbed to his injuries,” prompting the Cape and Islands District Attorney to elevate charges against Cotton that had previously been for neglect and wanton recklessness.
Surveillance Footage and Conflicting Statements
Security camera footage from Cotton’s driveway and surrounding areas became a key piece of evidence. Video shows the children sitting in the vehicle from mid-morning and indicates Cotton returned to the car multiple times—at one point loading gear—before leaving the children inside for an extended period.
Prosecutors pointed to those timestamps to argue Cotton’s statements to police were false. She initially described the children being in the home and provided specific, inaccurate details about what they had eaten and when they were placed in the car.
In court filings, prosecutors highlighted inconsistencies between Cotton’s narrative and the footage, while her attorney emphasized cooperation with investigators and questioned the precise moment when the boy’s condition deteriorated. The surveillance timeline remains central to determining criminal intent and the sequence of events.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The caregiver faces upgraded criminal counts after the child was flown to Boston and later died. Bail, monitoring conditions, and court dates have been set while prosecutors move forward with more serious charges.
Criminal Charges and Court Arraignment
Prosecutors elevated the initial charges to include a manslaughter count after the two-year-old died at Massachusetts General Hospital. Earlier filings already listed assault and battery on a child with injury by a caregiver and wanton or reckless behavior creating a risk of serious bodily injury to a child. The manslaughter upgrade reflects the allegation that the caregiver’s conduct directly contributed to the child’s death.
At arraignment in Edgartown District Court the defendant pleaded not guilty and posted $21,000 bail. The judge imposed conditions including GPS monitoring, a 6 p.m.–6 a.m. curfew, and no contact with the victim’s family. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for early April.
Role of Cape and Islands District Attorney
The Cape and Islands District Attorney’s office, led by Robert Galibois, prosecuted the case and announced the elevation to manslaughter following the child’s death. The office emphasized investigative findings — including surveillance video and statements — to support the charge that the caregiver acted with reckless disregard.
Assistant District Attorney Ailey Kirwin argued in court that inconsistencies in the caregiver’s account and footage showing the children left in the vehicle for hours justified the more serious charge. The DA’s office also issued a public statement expressing condolences to the family while outlining the next legal steps.
Edgartown District Court Hearings
Hearings take place at Edgartown District Court where judges consider bail, pretrial conditions, and evidentiary issues. The court reviewed surveillance evidence and testimony about timing and conduct when setting bail and monitoring requirements. The probable cause hearing will examine whether enough evidence exists to bind the defendant over for further proceedings.
Defense counsel has highlighted cooperation with investigators and contested timelines, focusing on a critical window when the child’s condition reportedly changed. The court docket includes future dates to resolve motions, set trial schedules, and address any additional charges or civil filings.
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