Vigil Held For Toddler Who Died In Auburn Foster Home
AUBURN (CBS) -- The sister of an Auburn foster mother responsible for the care of a little girl who suddenly died says a "freak accident' may be to blame.
Two-year-old Avalena Conway-Coxen died and another young foster girl was critically injured after being found unresponsive at the foster home on Saturday.
Family members of Kim Malpass insist that she's a good mother, and certainly no killer.
"We can say with complete certainty that the cause investigators will find will be nothing more than a complete freak accident," sister Tamari Malpass said Wednesday, reading from a prepared statement. "We are confident that there is zero chance of anything with intent or malice."
Police spent hours at the home Wednesday morning, collecting bags of evidence. An SUV was also taken from the driveway earlier in the week.
Tamari Malpass said detectives will find nothing sinister at the home. She says youngsters love her sister and she's a responsible mom.
"All were treated with the highest level of care, love and kindness," she said. "Any person that knows my sister and this family will agree when I say Kim was an amazing woman who had a special way with children."
The family says Kim Malpass is cooperating 100 percent with police and the Department of Children and Families.
"She's devastated, absolutely devastated," Tamari Malpass said.
On Wednesday night in Marlboro, a vigil was held in memory of Conway-Coxen.
Among those gathering was family friend Shannon Viteritti.
"It just breaks my heart that it comes to this to get this much attention for a little girl," Viteritti told WBZ-TV's Julie Loncich.
Relatives of the toddler's biological were at the vigil, including David Coxen, the toddler's biological grandfather.
"It was tough. No one should have to witness a small baby like that," Coxen said.
