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No foul play suspected after twin 5-year-olds found dead inside Bronx apartment: NYPD
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 19, 2023
Modified Dec 19, 2023
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By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 19, 2023
Modified Dec 19, 2023
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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.
So far, the autopsy report has indicated that there was no strangulation or bruising to their bodies, Kenny said.
“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, Kenny said. 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.
The family is originally from Ghana, according to the NYPD. Kenny said the father is a healthcare worker who had been in contact with the mother about the kids being sick. Before realizing the twins had died, the two agreed the mother would take the twins to the emergency room once they woke up.
“We spoke to neighbors, we spoke to the school — all indications she's a doting mom,” Kenny said, adding later that she was so distraught on Monday, she had to be hospitalized.
Bahar Ostadan contributed reporting.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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Catalina Gonella
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