MA - Four children found hidden in apartment with alcohol, drugs, sex toys & corpse - Boston - June 21 2023

[Lusitana]

Well, where is this famous FD report? Why was it made available to the media in the first place? Just publish the report and put a stop to it. What's stopping the media from publishing it? They reported on its supposed contents. Publish it.

I highly suspect the contents of the FD report most likely differ in many ways from what was reported by the media. Honestly, I have a hard time believing a FD report would use the wording "men in drag".

 

[fred&edna]

I agree. Plus, I've seen no proof the Boston Fire Department arrived before Police.

In my large city, the 9-1-1 dispatcher alerts Police, Fire/EMTs at the same time. The news media monitors radio dispatches and police will be needed for crowd control. They have no idea of the details behind the call for EMT help.

iirc, in this case, after it was determined the deceased could not be revived, Boston Detectives arrived to take photos of possible crime scene. I have no reason not to believe the official Police Report.

JMO

BBM Boston Fire and EMS arrived first.

Emergency crews responded to the apartment shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the police report. Boston Fire and EMS arrived first, followed by police. They found an adult dead. The cause of death remains under investigation.

Boston 25 obtained the fire department report, which matched up with another source’s information.

According to the fire department report that I reviewed, firefighters found six adults “who appeared to be males” in the apartment, with four kids in a back bedroom. One of the men tried to stop first responders from going into the room where they found the children, who are ages 5 to 10. The report said the adults were uncooperative and denied having children inside the apartment.

‘Cry for help’: City councilor calls for answers after kids found in ‘house of horrors’ after death

First responders were called to the Mary Ellen McCormack Complex run by the Boston Housing Authority for a person not breathing, but that’s not all they found when they entered a top floor apartment.

www.boston25news.com

 

[MyBelle]

BBM - The police report confirms Boston Fire and EMS arrived first.

Emergency crews responded to the apartment shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the police report. Boston Fire and EMS arrived first, followed by police. They found an adult dead. The cause of death remains under investigation.

Boston 25 obtained the fire department report, which matched up with another source’s information.

According to the fire department report that I reviewed, firefighters found six adults “who appeared to be males” in the apartment, with four kids in a back bedroom. One of the men tried to stop first responders from going into the room where they found the children, who are ages 5 to 10. The report said the adults were uncooperative and denied having children inside the apartment.

‘Cry for help’: City councilor calls for answers after kids found in ‘house of horrors’ after death

First responders were called to the Mary Ellen McCormack Complex run by the Boston Housing Authority for a person not breathing, but that’s not all they found when they entered a top floor apartment.

www.boston25news.com

Technically, Boston Fire and EMS may have arrived first because they usually are at the same fire station. My point was that they all are DISPATCHED at the same time by 9-1-1. Police would have arrived very quickly as well.

I also don't believe firefighters were ever inside the apartment because they were not needed. It was strictly an EMS call. Not for a minute do I believe any firefighter wrote "six adults who appeared to be males" because the gender of anyone there was totally irrelevant to the call and it sounds incredibly biased and unprofessional.

<modsnip: irrelevant to the article in quoted post>
JMO

 

[Sundog]

I'm glad that the fate of the children is in the hands of the state of Massachusetts now, and that they are investigating the situation for the sake of the children, the young victims of this situation.

If there are charges to be filed, it will likely be following their investigation.

The department of family and children services doesn't base its investigation on "trust," but on facts. I hope they wouldn't be swayed by what one group of authorities says over another authoritative body. BPD should not be granted any special status over BFD by state authorities investigating child abuse/neglect.

 

[mooseandcoffee]

there is no mention of a female
its possible very much that after first responders came.. the scene was restaged 9 after feeling threatened ) for the police including this female which was called to come and participate in the act
jmo

Restaged?

 

[fred&edna]

Here we have three statements/narratives I'm posting for comparison and "basic" information.

Police dispute sordid details of Boston case where 4 kids were found

The children are in custody of the state's Department of Children and Families, the governor has said.

www.wcvb.com

Full statement from Boston Police Department:​

"Boston Police were called to 381 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston at 11:11 am on Saturday 06.17.23 to investigate a call for an unconscious person. Boston Fire and EMS were on scene assisting the individual. At 11:41am Boston EMS pronounced the person non-viable and the Medical Examiner's Office took jurisdiction of the body. Detectives were also called to the residence to photograph the scene as part of the investigation. The adults on scene, who told officers they had called for help when they became aware their friend was not breathing, were fully cooperative with the Boston Police Officers who responded. There were four children on site who all had a parent present in the residence. The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased. Due to the nature of the call, and to ensure appropriate follow up with the families involved, officers did file a 51A with DCF. Information that drugs and other concerning materials were strewn about the home is not supported by what officers encountered or by the information received on scene. This is an ongoing investigation."

---

Narrative from Boston Fire Department report:​

"Ladder 18 responded and found Boston EMS in the middle of a working arrest. Ladder 18 assisted EMS during medical operations. The apartment was in extreme unsanitary conditions. Approximately 6 adults, who appeared to be males, were seen in the apartment. Ladder 18 found 4 children in the back bedroom being hidden by an adult male from first responders. The children ranged in ages from 5-10. All the adult parties were being uncooperative and did not provide helpful information. All adults present denied having children inside the apartment. Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene. Ladder 18 filed a 51A form with the appropriate state agency."

---

Full statement from Boston Housing Authority:​

"The Boston Housing Authority is working closely with the Boston Police Department as they continue to investigate the circumstances around the recent death at Mary-Ellen McCormack. BHA received no complaints about activity in this unit prior to the incident, but we care deeply about the safety of all our residents and are working actively with the agencies involved to take all appropriate follow-up action. BHA has a strong partnership with BPD and communicates with them often. The only call BHA received this year about this unit was for a routine maintenance issue in May, which was responded to appropriately at that time."

 

[fred&edna]

Technically, Boston Fire and EMS may have arrived first because they usually are at the same fire station. My point was that they all are DISPATCHED at the same time by 9-1-1. Police would have arrived very quickly as well.

I also don't believe firefighters were ever inside the apartment because they were not needed. It was strictly an EMS call. Not for a minute do I believe any firefighter wrote "six adults who appeared to be males" because the gender of anyone there was totally irrelevant to the call and it sounds incredibly biased and unprofessional.

<modsnip: irrelevant to the article in quoted post>
JMO

Oh, okay. I was under the impression Boston FD also provided medical assistance (whether there was a fire or not)

ETA:

Fire Operations

We are an organization of dedicated professionals who are committed to serving the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, emergency medical, civil defense and fire service. We protect all Boston residents and the hundreds of thousands of people...

www.boston.gov

 

[MyBelle]

I'm glad that the fate of the children is in the hands of the state of Massachusetts now, and that they are investigating the situation for the sake of the children, the young victims of this situation.

If there are charges to be filed, it will likely be following their investigation.

The department of family and children services doesn't base its investigation on "trust," but on facts. I hope they wouldn't be swayed by what one group of authorities says over another authoritative body. BPD should not be granted any special status over BFD by state authorities investigating child abuse/neglect.

I thought the children were removed because of unsanitary conditions of the apartment? For all we know, there may have been mold growing on the wall caused by a leaky pipe.

It is the BPD who investigate crimes involving children, not the Fire Department.

JMO

 

[Bodhi]

The Herald appears to be quietly walking back the salacious aspects in its reporting today IMO. It quotes the firefighters union president but summarizes with "The Herald is seeking more official reports on the call."

Today's article focuses on the conditions outside in the McCormack housing project and an allegation from an unnamed resident (singular) that maintenance doesn't address needed repairs. The Herald itself notes that this is unsubstantiated: "The Herald is delving deeper into other alleged infractions."

Others may disagree with my take that the Herald is pulling back, and that's fine. I'm giving my take as a native. The article today is pivoting to the housing project, as are the councilors who sensationalized the incident to the media by repeating second-hand or third-hand information or rumors as fact. Councilors may be positioning themselves for a mayoral campaign, which IMO could be a factor in how this has played out.

The welfare of children is paramount, of course. No one is stating otherwise. But the children and their parents are entitled to privacy afforded by law as they navigate the process. The sensational coverage is detrimental to the children.

If the controversy over what occurred in a unit at the McCormack housing project brings resources that improve life for residents and neighbors, fantastic. I regret that it flows from the disparagement of the still-unnamed deceased person, the person's friends and possibly family, and the residents of the housing project.

South Boston housing complex under intense scrutiny

The Mary Ellen McCormack housing complex where four kids were removed by the state following an apparent overdose in an apartment with men dressed as women is now under intense scrutiny.

www.bostonherald.com

 

[Sundog]

I thought the children were removed because of unsanitary conditions of the apartment? For all we know, there may have been mold growing on the wall caused by a leaky pipe.

It is the BPD who investigate crimes involving children, not the Fire Department.

JMO

I think there were a number of reasons why the BFD reported the incident to the state for investigation.

All mandated reporters need to do this if they suspect possible abuse or neglect.

 

[tlcya]

Here we have three statements/narratives I'm posting for comparison and "basic" information.

Police dispute sordid details of Boston case where 4 kids were found

The children are in custody of the state's Department of Children and Families, the governor has said.

www.wcvb.com

Full statement from Boston Police Department:​

"Boston Police were called to 381 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston at 11:11 am on Saturday 06.17.23 to investigate a call for an unconscious person. Boston Fire and EMS were on scene assisting the individual. At 11:41am Boston EMS pronounced the person non-viable and the Medical Examiner's Office took jurisdiction of the body. Detectives were also called to the residence to photograph the scene as part of the investigation. The adults on scene, who told officers they had called for help when they became aware their friend was not breathing, were fully cooperative with the Boston Police Officers who responded. There were four children on site who all had a parent present in the residence. The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased. Due to the nature of the call, and to ensure appropriate follow up with the families involved, officers did file a 51A with DCF. Information that drugs and other concerning materials were strewn about the home is not supported by what officers encountered or by the information received on scene. This is an ongoing investigation."

---

Narrative from Boston Fire Department report:​

"Ladder 18 responded and found Boston EMS in the middle of a working arrest. Ladder 18 assisted EMS during medical operations. The apartment was in extreme unsanitary conditions. Approximately 6 adults, who appeared to be males, were seen in the apartment. Ladder 18 found 4 children in the back bedroom being hidden by an adult male from first responders. The children ranged in ages from 5-10. All the adult parties were being uncooperative and did not provide helpful information. All adults present denied having children inside the apartment. Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene. Ladder 18 filed a 51A form with the appropriate state agency."

---

Full statement from Boston Housing Authority:​

"The Boston Housing Authority is working closely with the Boston Police Department as they continue to investigate the circumstances around the recent death at Mary-Ellen McCormack. BHA received no complaints about activity in this unit prior to the incident, but we care deeply about the safety of all our residents and are working actively with the agencies involved to take all appropriate follow-up action. BHA has a strong partnership with BPD and communicates with them often. The only call BHA received this year about this unit was for a routine maintenance issue in May, which was responded to appropriately at that time."

Thank you for this @fred&edna

I note the narratives from each agency INCLUDING the BFD do not include the words drugs, drag, trans, sex toys, etc. The only difference I can see between the BPD and BFD narratives is that the BFD claim the male adults were uncooperative, that children were being "hidden " from the BFD, and most significantly the BFD report states "Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene." which strongly suggests that all were on scene at the same time or at the very least there was some crossover in response time that meant BOTH BFD and BPD were present all at once at the same time on the death scene.

 

[Keane]

Some more information here from The Boston Globe:

Wu says some accounts of South Boston home ‘not based on facts of what happened there’ - The Boston Globe

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Friday sharply disputed allegations in some media reports about the conditions inside a South Boston apartment where first responders were called last weekend. “It’s irresponsible to be fueling conspiracy theories at this moment when we are grieving a loss of life,”...

www.bostonglobe.com

Mayor Michelle Wu says she "viewed photographs taken by Boston police detectives of [the] apartment [...]. She said she has also spoken with officials at the three agencies that responded [...], including Boston fire, emergency medical services, and police."

"Police also said they filed a 51A report of possible abuse or neglect with DCF “due to the nature of the call, and to ensure appropriate follow up with the families involved."" (bolding mine, to stress that it was the BPD who files the 51A, not the BFD.

From what others have posted, it sure sounds to me like the City Councilors read/heard the BFD report and made their own assumption/extrapolations and went to the Herald. Shame on them.

 

[Vern]

Thank you for this @fred&edna

I note the narratives from each agency INCLUDING the BFD do not include the words drugs, drag, trans, sex toys, etc. The only difference I can see between the BPD and BFD narratives is that the BFD claim the male adults were uncooperative, that children were being "hidden " from the BFD, and most significantly the BFD report states "Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene." which strongly suggests that all were on scene at the same time or at the very least there was some crossover in response time that meant BOTH BFD and BPD were present all at once at the same time on the death scene.

Is it possible that the adults were seen to be "uncooperative" by BFD only as it related to the medical call? As in adults making statements or answering questions like, "we don't know why he's not breathing" etc etc or "I don't know why he's unconcious"; especially seems "uncooperative" if BFD suspected unconciousness was due to a possible drug overdose.

As well, given that BFD says BPD was on scene at same time it also certainly seems possible that BPD had "The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased." and BPD says the adults were cooperative. Perhaps BFD didn't know that a police officer had told the adults to keep the kids in the room so they wouldn't see the deceased and therefore asked adults something like "why are you hiding kids in the apartment?" and the adults stated they "no, we are not hiding kids in this apartment".

Something like the above would explain the (minor) discepencies in the two statements. The major discrepency in the story being only that NONE of the reports say anything about what the sordid headline put out there. May also explain the delay in other news organizations immediately publishing the story --- they were fact-checking to ensure the "sensationalism" was accurate and, thus far, it seems the sensationalism was not. Facts matter; facts in context also matter.

 

[MyBelle]

The Herald appears to be quietly walking back the salacious aspects in its reporting today IMO. It quotes the firefighters union president but summarizes with "The Herald is seeking more official reports on the call."

Today's article focuses on the conditions outside in the McCormack housing project and an allegation from an unnamed resident (singular) that maintenance doesn't address needed repairs. The Herald itself notes that this is unsubstantiated: "The Herald is delving deeper into other alleged infractions."

Others may disagree with my take that the Herald is pulling back, and that's fine. I'm giving my take as a native. The article today is pivoting to the housing project, as are the councilors who sensationalized the incident to the media by repeating second-hand or third-hand information or rumors as fact. Councilors may be positioning themselves for a mayoral campaign, which IMO could be a factor in how this has played out.

The welfare of children is paramount, of course. No one is stating otherwise. But the children and their parents are entitled to privacy afforded by law as they navigate the process. The sensational coverage is detrimental to the children.

If the controversy over what occurred in a unit at the McCormack housing project brings resources that improve life for residents and neighbors, fantastic. I regret that it flows from the disparagement of the still-unnamed deceased person, the person's friends and possibly family, and the residents of the housing project.

South Boston housing complex under intense scrutiny

The Mary Ellen McCormack housing complex where four kids were removed by the state following an apparent overdose in an apartment with men dressed as women is now under intense scrutiny.

www.bostonherald.com

BBM. Well said! Your perspective is invaluable!

When the term "unsanitary" was used to describe the living conditions of the apartment, I wondered if there were repair issues involved.

The initial reporting was incredibly salacious and unprofessional. Especially considering children were involved.

JMO

 

[MyBelle]

Oh, okay. I was under the impression Boston FD also provided medical assistance (whether there was a fire or not)

ETA:

Fire Operations

We are an organization of dedicated professionals who are committed to serving the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention, education, emergency medical, civil defense and fire service. We protect all Boston residents and the hundreds of thousands of people...

www.boston.gov

I think it's like my large city and EMTs work for the Boston FD but not all firefighters are trained, licensed EMT's. I have no idea why a Ladder truck would even enter an apartment that wasn't on fire and the EMT's were already at work. That one baffles me.

JMO

 

[Ontario Mom]

Here we have three statements/narratives I'm posting for comparison and "basic" information.

Police dispute sordid details of Boston case where 4 kids were found

The children are in custody of the state's Department of Children and Families, the governor has said.

www.wcvb.com

Full statement from Boston Police Department:​

"Boston Police were called to 381 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston at 11:11 am on Saturday 06.17.23 to investigate a call for an unconscious person. Boston Fire and EMS were on scene assisting the individual. At 11:41am Boston EMS pronounced the person non-viable and the Medical Examiner's Office took jurisdiction of the body. Detectives were also called to the residence to photograph the scene as part of the investigation. The adults on scene, who told officers they had called for help when they became aware their friend was not breathing, were fully cooperative with the Boston Police Officers who responded. There were four children on site who all had a parent present in the residence. The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased. Due to the nature of the call, and to ensure appropriate follow up with the families involved, officers did file a 51A with DCF. Information that drugs and other concerning materials were strewn about the home is not supported by what officers encountered or by the information received on scene. This is an ongoing investigation."

---

Narrative from Boston Fire Department report:​

"Ladder 18 responded and found Boston EMS in the middle of a working arrest. Ladder 18 assisted EMS during medical operations. The apartment was in extreme unsanitary conditions. Approximately 6 adults, who appeared to be males, were seen in the apartment. Ladder 18 found 4 children in the back bedroom being hidden by an adult male from first responders. The children ranged in ages from 5-10. All the adult parties were being uncooperative and did not provide helpful information. All adults present denied having children inside the apartment. Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene. Ladder 18 filed a 51A form with the appropriate state agency."

---

Full statement from Boston Housing Authority:​

"The Boston Housing Authority is working closely with the Boston Police Department as they continue to investigate the circumstances around the recent death at Mary-Ellen McCormack. BHA received no complaints about activity in this unit prior to the incident, but we care deeply about the safety of all our residents and are working actively with the agencies involved to take all appropriate follow-up action. BHA has a strong partnership with BPD and communicates with them often. The only call BHA received this year about this unit was for a routine maintenance issue in May, which was responded to appropriately at that time."

Thanks for this, it really does help to see it presented this way.

<modsnip - not an approved source>

That Boston FB (ladder 18) arrived and Boston EMS was already in the middle of attending to the person in medical distress, and they (Boston FD) assisted. In addition, the statement from Boston PD does say that the FD and EMS were already on scene when they (PD) arrived. So at least now we do know who was there, and in what order they arrived. I think, anyway.

Important to note:
1. We've seen no official incident report or any comments (that I'm aware of) from Boston EMS who were technically the first outfit to arrive, followed by FD, then PD, then the ME and Boston Detectives (according to all these statements).

2. None of these reports mention anything about sex toys, drugs, etc., so I have to assume these were observations made and only verbally discussed between those first on the scene, prior to PD arriving. Discussed and/or relayed to whom, it's impossible to say.

3. Why anyone responding to the apartment that morning would say any of these things if they were untrue, is a real head-scratcher for me.

4. We don't know what the paperwork says about the actual reason the kids were removed from the apartment, nor have we seen any sort of statement from Mass DCF (although I'm not sure we ever will). The 51A is very broad and can include many variables.

While all of these grown ups argue over who said what to whom, we still haven't heard any kind of update on these kids and if they're all doing okay. To me, they matter more than anything but all this other junk seems to have taken center stage.

jmo

 

[wdmcmahan]

Thanks for this, it really does help to see it presented this way.

<modsnip - not an approved source>

That Boston FB (ladder 18) arrived and Boston EMS was already in the middle of attending to the person in medical distress, and they (Boston FD) assisted. In addition, the statement from Boston PD does say that the FD and EMS were already on scene when they (PD) arrived. So at least now we do know who was there, and in what order they arrived. I think, anyway.

Important to note:
1. We've seen no official incident report or any comments (that I'm aware of) from Boston EMS who were technically the first outfit to arrive, followed by FD, then PD, then the ME and Boston Detectives (according to all these statements).

2. None of these reports mention anything about sex toys, drugs, etc., so I have to assume these were observations made and only verbally discussed between those first on the scene, prior to PD arriving. Discussed and/or relayed to whom, it's impossible to say.

3. Why anyone responding to the apartment that morning would say any of these things if they were untrue, is a real head-scratcher for me.

4. We don't know what the paperwork says about the actual reason the kids were removed from the apartment, nor have we seen any sort of statement from Mass DCF (although I'm not sure we ever will). The 51A is very broad and can include many variables.

While all of these grown ups argue over who said what to whom, we still haven't heard any kind of update on these kids and if they're all doing okay. To me, they matter more than anything but all this other junk seems to have taken center stage.

jmo

We probably won’t see any updates on the kiddos. Their privacy will be protected by DCF. If they were taken into DCF custody, which it sounds like they were, they could have been placed into foster care or a kinship placement, hopefully the latter, until the parents can satisfy the requirements to get their children back.

It’s important to remember that the children haven’t been permanently taken away and that we’ve seen no arrests regarding any type of abuse to the children.

I don’t see this thread as people arguing who said what. I see some of us trying to explain what a problem those first statements from the city counselor and media are, in todays climate that transgender people have to live in. It’s not just about THESE transgender people in this case.

When I can go on the book of faces and see people posting about how they would NEVER let their kids go to story time if a drag queen was reading the story because it is grooming… well those initial statements in the media about this case and how they were worded is a big issue.

I don’t know if I’m being clear, my brain is racing right now. I’m not trying to argue with anyone and I’m definitely not trying to minimize child neglect or child abuse. I’m actually a court appointed special advocate for foster children, the child’s best interest is always top priority for me, I need to make that clear.

 

[Lusitana]

People can easily be perceived as uncooperative when they're in a stressful situation and start to panic. I can only imagine that the adults got agitated with the medical emergency. It seems like the person died shortly after showing signs of distress and the EMTS couldn't do much.

Children were present on the scene, so that would cause even more stress for the adults trying to shield them from seeing a person in medical distress and then, dead. We don't know if one or more of the children present were the children of the deceased person either.

I'm actually glad that the children were removed. I'm sure they have been interviewed and the situation as a whole is being investigated.

 

[tlcya]

Is it possible that the adults were seen to be "uncooperative" by BFD only as it related to the medical call? As in adults making statements or answering questions like, "we don't know why he's not breathing" etc etc or "I don't know why he's unconcious"; especially seems "uncooperative" if BFD suspected unconciousness was due to a possible drug overdose.

As well, given that BFD says BPD was on scene at same time it also certainly seems possible that BPD had "The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased." and BPD says the adults were cooperative. Perhaps BFD didn't know that a police officer had told the adults to keep the kids in the room so they wouldn't see the deceased and therefore asked adults something like "why are you hiding kids in the apartment?" and the adults stated they "no, we are not hiding kids in this apartment".

Something like the above would explain the (minor) discepencies in the two statements. The major discrepency in the story being only that NONE of the reports say anything about what the sordid headline put out there. May also explain the delay in other news organizations immediately publishing the story --- they were fact-checking to ensure the "sensationalism" was accurate and, thus far, it seems the sensationalism was not. Facts matter; facts in context also matter.

Agree.

I suspect reports of the adults present being uncooperative stem from them not allowing BFD into the room where children were. That responding agency seemed to find that suspicious while in contrast BPD stated that LE and the adults present agreed that keeping the minor children segregated in a room behind a closed door, away from the decedent and the subsequent attempts to revive decedent, was the best course of action.

also agree as to the delay in MSM picking up this story as the validity of those lurid headlines were probably being independently verified by more legitimate news orgs before running with it.

 

[branmuffin]

Here we have three statements/narratives I'm posting for comparison and "basic" information.

Police dispute sordid details of Boston case where 4 kids were found

The children are in custody of the state's Department of Children and Families, the governor has said.

www.wcvb.com

Full statement from Boston Police Department:​

"Boston Police were called to 381 Old Colony Avenue in South Boston at 11:11 am on Saturday 06.17.23 to investigate a call for an unconscious person. Boston Fire and EMS were on scene assisting the individual. At 11:41am Boston EMS pronounced the person non-viable and the Medical Examiner's Office took jurisdiction of the body. Detectives were also called to the residence to photograph the scene as part of the investigation. The adults on scene, who told officers they had called for help when they became aware their friend was not breathing, were fully cooperative with the Boston Police Officers who responded. There were four children on site who all had a parent present in the residence. The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased. Due to the nature of the call, and to ensure appropriate follow up with the families involved, officers did file a 51A with DCF. Information that drugs and other concerning materials were strewn about the home is not supported by what officers encountered or by the information received on scene. This is an ongoing investigation."

---

Narrative from Boston Fire Department report:​

"Ladder 18 responded and found Boston EMS in the middle of a working arrest. Ladder 18 assisted EMS during medical operations. The apartment was in extreme unsanitary conditions. Approximately 6 adults, who appeared to be males, were seen in the apartment. Ladder 18 found 4 children in the back bedroom being hidden by an adult male from first responders. The children ranged in ages from 5-10. All the adult parties were being uncooperative and did not provide helpful information. All adults present denied having children inside the apartment. Boston Police and Boston EMS were on scene. Ladder 18 filed a 51A form with the appropriate state agency."

---

Full statement from Boston Housing Authority:​

"The Boston Housing Authority is working closely with the Boston Police Department as they continue to investigate the circumstances around the recent death at Mary-Ellen McCormack. BHA received no complaints about activity in this unit prior to the incident, but we care deeply about the safety of all our residents and are working actively with the agencies involved to take all appropriate follow-up action. BHA has a strong partnership with BPD and communicates with them often. The only call BHA received this year about this unit was for a routine maintenance issue in May, which was responded to appropriately at that time."

It says in the BFD report that the EMS were already in the process of providing aid for a 'working arrest' so they didn't arrive first.

It's possible with however many people were crowded into that apartment it became very scary for the kids. I don't know if anyone's ever had the fire department come to your home but these are big guys take up a lot of room with all their equipment and kind of scary looking, too, I would imagine, for little kids.

I wouldn't be surprised if those kids were crying because it was chaotic and scary for them even before the arrival of EMTs and the BFD.

I also think it would be scary for any parent who lives in public housing who knows they are scrutinized much more than their wealthier brethren when it comes to engaging in the same behaviors like drinking, taking drugs, driving while impaired. They are much more likely to be taken to task and punished for their behavior and bear the brunt of society's disapproval.