Bodies of Bronx mom, 10-year-old son found decomposing in NYCHA apartment

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A Bronx woman and her 10-year-old son were found dead and decomposing inside their NYCHA apartment on Wednesday night, police said.

Officers responded to the apartment in the Marble Hill Houses at 5240 Broadway, near West 228th St., at about 11:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a foul odor, officials said.

The bodies of Sharlene Santiago, 39, and her son Brian—who had special needs—were found in a state of decomposition.

Police said that it appears Santiago may have had a medical episode and died, leaving Brian with no one to care for him. He was confined to his bed, and possibly starved, officials said.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. Police said there were no immediate signs of trauma or overdose.

Sources told 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 that a dog was also found inside, alive.

There have been five complaints of neglect to the city’s Administration for Child Services regarding Santiago’s care of her child since 2013, including complaints of drug use on her part, law enforcement sources told the New York Daily News . The source said that the other complaints included lack of supervision and “failure to thrive,” meaning that Brian was not developing adequately.

The investigation is ongoing.