The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families visited the Auburn home of a foster child just days before the 2-year-old girl died and another was found unresponsive, according to a statement from agency officials.
Agency officials did not make it clear why they were visiting Wednesday.
The children's foster mother called 911 at 12:23 p.m. Saturday, reporting two children were unresponsive, District Attorney Joseph D. Early said at a news conference Sunday. When emergency officials arrived, they performed CPR on one girl who was unconscious.
They were transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where one girl was pronounced dead a short time later.
Family members identified the deceased child as Avalena Conway Coxon.
Currently working to complete a drug rehabilitation program, the biological mother of 2-year-old Avelena told necn that she's looking for answers.
"I'm outraged. I'm outraged and heartbroken," Jessica Conway said. "Right now, I'm just sitting down at this point. I don't know what to do. I'm just glad that the media is involved. I'm hoping that I get answers soon."
Avalena's grandparents are also looking for answers and accountability.
"If she'd been with us like she was supposed to be, she would have been safe," Diane Coxon, Avalena's grandmother, said.
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"The governor has got to step up now and address this situation. We're losing too many kids under their watch," David Coxon said.
Worcester County officials said they are awaiting autopsy and toxicology results for the cause of the toddler's death. They say the other child remains hospitalized "in very critical condition."
Agency officials say a third child, a 6-month-old girl, was hospitalized, but only as a precaution.
There were three other children in the home who belonged to the mother. They are all in DCF care during the investigation.
The foster mother, who police say is known to them, is cooperating with authorities.
Necn has confirmed through multiple sources close to the foster mother that she is 34-year-old Kimberly Malpass. Malpass has three children of her own and three foster children. It's important to note at this point in the investigation she has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
In addition, DCF officials say six other foster children have previously lived in this home since it was licensed in 2014.
Neighbors who know the foster mother say they've never noticed anything unusual.
"Whatever happened, it was maybe an accident, but she's a good mom with all her kids," a neighbor said.
"Whatever happened to them babies is a tragic accident. I believe whole-heartedly because she could never hurt anyone. She's a wonderful girl," Theresa Kapurch, who says she has known Malpass since she was a teenager, said.
Kapurch said her son has dated her off and on for years and was living with her when the incident happened.
"I just know that neither one of them would hurt anybody. Maybe each other or themselves by their own actions, but never children," Kapurch said.
"My daughter died. My daughter won't grow up, she won't have her prom, she won't have a wedding. I will never see her smile again, I will never be able to hold my daughter again and it's because of this foster home," Conway said.
