The 5-year-old twins who were found dead in a Bronx apartment were sick for days and stayed home from school on Monday.
The mother, who has not been named, told police her children – a boy and a girl with special needs – were sick and vomiting for hours. They were both vomiting overnight around 3 a.m. Monday.
The boy had been sick for two weeks with cold symptoms and was sent home from school last week. His sister was diagnosed with an ear infection, and had been “acting irrational,” biting and spitting at school, the mother told police.
Both children were vomiting overnight Monday, the mother said.
The mother told police she went to take a quick shower on Monday, and she came out around 11 a.m. and found the children foaming at the mouth and nose in bed.
She called 911, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters. The children were pronounced dead.
Kenny said police do not suspect foul play. An autopsy report is pending.
Neither child had signs of physical abuse. No drugs were found in the apartment.
The mother was transported to a local hospital for treatment of emotional distress. The father was at work at the time.
“All reports were that mom was well engaged with everything to do with these two children,” Kenny said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“She was an active participant with their medical care, an active participant in their schooling,” he said. “Neighbors say she was doting, and they were a quiet, loving family. At this time until the ME [medical examiner] says something different, it just appears to be a medical tragedy.”