A young mother has been charged with murder following the tragic deaths of her three-year-old twin sons, who allegedly died from fentanyl exposure.
Jestice James, 22, faces two counts of murder and two counts of child abuse after her twins, Josiah and Jestine, were found unresponsive in their home on July 11. Paramedics rushed the boys to a nearby hospital, but it was too late to save them. Josiah died that night, while Jestine passed away two days later.
Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami stated that this is the first case in Los Angeles County where a parent has been charged with deaths related to alleged fentanyl overdose. While details on how the twins were exposed to fentanyl remain under investigation, Hatami highlighted that four similar cases have occurred in LA County within the past six months.
“Children are our most vulnerable,” Hatami emphasized. “They don’t buy fentanyl and they don’t smoke it. Adults are doing that, but it is the innocent children who are paying the ultimate price. It’s unacceptable.”
James appeared visibly distraught at the Van Nuys courthouse on July 16, as her family, including her mother LaTina Allen, expressed their support. James will remain in county jail with a $4 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 31.
Family members insist that James, described as a doting mother, would never intentionally harm her sons. The twins had recently celebrated their birthday and enjoyed a beach outing with family over the Fourth of July holiday.
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