OAK BLUFFS — A Martha’s Vineyard woman has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a 2-year-old boy who was left unattended in a vehicle while in her care.
Aimee Cotton, 41, was arraigned Thursday in Edgartown District Court on the upgraded charge after the toddler died from injuries sustained in the incident, according to Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois.
The investigation began March 13 when Cotton called 911 at approximately 1:16 p.m., reporting that a child she was babysitting was not breathing and turning blue.
First responders found Cotton performing CPR on the toddler in the second row passenger seat area of a vehicle.
Oak Bluffs Police and EMS transported the child to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Emergency Room before he was airlifted by Boston Medflight helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in critical condition.
Cotton was initially arraigned March 14 on charges of assault and battery on a child with injury and reckless endangerment of a child, with bail set at $2,800.
After the child died on March 19, prosecutors upgraded the charges to manslaughter.
At Thursday’s arraignment, prosecutors requested $50,000 bail, but the court set bail at $21,000 with GPS monitoring.
Cotton is scheduled to appear in Edgartown District Court on April 3 for a probable cause hearing.
