A Vineyard woman who had been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a toddler was indicted this week for second degree murder.
A Dukes County grand jury on Wednesday returned indictments of murder and reckless endangerment of a child for Aimee Cotton, the Oak Bluffs babysitter who allegedly left two-year-old Frank Rodenbaugh in her SUV alone with another child for several hours, according to court documents.
The incident occurred in March 2025, and Frank died several days later after Ms. Cotton found him unresponsive in her vehicle. Police said she left the children alone while she attended to chores in her home.
The Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment on Wednesday evening, but declined to discuss what evidence swayed the grand jury to raise the manslaughter charge to murder.
“We will address the matter after the Defendant presents herself before the Court,” spokesperson Katie Brunelle said.
In Massachusetts, second degree murder can carry a life prison sentence, with the potential for parole.
Frank's father Matthew Rodenbaugh said the family is continuing to seek justice.
“My two-year-old son, Frankie, died calling out my name. I was not there when he needed me most,” he said in a statement. “So I made him a promise after his death: I will be there for him now and forever. I will never stop fighting for Frankie and advocating for the highest measure of justice in his case. I credit District Attorney Rob Galibois for his continued examination of the case and the decision to pursue a murder charge. True justice for Frankie and the safety of other children on this island required it.”
The family's attorney thanked law enforcement for continuing to work the case.
“A murder indictment in this case is a step toward justice for Frankie Rodenbaugh and his family,” attorney Ben Megrian said in a statement. “I commend law enforcement for its sustained and continued efforts on the case.”
Ms. Cotton’s defense attorney, Harrow Barrow, declined to comment Wednesday.
Ms. Cotton is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges before Judge Peter Krupp on Oct. 5. The prosecutor is Courtney Scalise, who had been handling the previous charges.
Ms. Cotton’s previous case had been moved to Barnstable Superior Court for a trial due to concerns over the chances of calling an impartial jury on the Vineyard, where there has been strong support for the Rodenbaugh family.
Ms. Cotton had previously pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and reckless endangerment of a child. A conference hearing on the previous trial was scheduled to take place last week, but was postponed.
A trial will likely take several weeks due the extensive medical testimony that would be needed, the district attorney’s office previously said.
Editor's note: this article has been updated with statements from the Rodenbaugh family and attorney.
This article appears in August 21, 2026.
May justice for Frankie and his family be served.
This family has been through so much pain with losing a loving happy two 1/2 little boy. Justice for Frankie.