Mother Charged with Murder After Twin Toddlers Die from Alleged Fentanyl Exposure
Jestice James faces murder charges after her three-year-old twin sons died from alleged fentanyl exposure. The tragic case highlights the growing danger of opioid exposure to children.
California, Bollywood Fever: A mother of twin toddlers has been charged with murder after her three-year-old sons died from alleged exposure to drugs laced with fentanyl. Jestice James, 22, faces two counts of murder and two counts of child abuse following the tragic deaths of her twins, Josiah and Jestine, in Canoga Park, California, on July 11.
Paramedics found the three-year-old boys unresponsive at their apartment, where James was with her boyfriend and family. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Josiah, the older of the twins, died that night, while Jestine passed away two days later.
Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami informed DailyMail.com that this is the first case in Los Angeles County where a parent has been charged with deaths related to an alleged fentanyl overdose, marking a disturbing trend. Hatami did not provide specific details on how the twins were exposed to fentanyl, citing the ongoing investigation. However, he noted that there have been four similar cases of children exposed to fentanyl in LA County within the past six months.
“Children are our most vulnerable,” Hatami stated. “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 during her court appearance in Van Nuys on Tuesday afternoon, with her family members present in the audience. She struggled to hold back tears as her mother, LaTina Allen, expressed support from across the courtroom. James remains in county jail with bail set at $4 million and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 31 once an attorney is assigned to her case.
Family members who attended the hearing described James as a devoted mother who would never harm her beloved sons. The boys had recently celebrated their birthday and spent time at the beach with family during the July Fourth holiday. Family photos show a smiling James with her two boys, highlighting their close bond.
Josiah was described as a curious and smart boy, while Jestine, the younger brother, was protective and ensured his older brother Jojo was always okay. The family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs for the boys.
Hatami emphasized that most fatal opioid exposures in children occur at home. “Home should always be the safe place for a child, but most unintentional pediatric exposure to illicit fentanyl happens in the child’s home. We need more education, more awareness, and more accountability regarding the dangers of fentanyl as it relates to innocent babies and toddlers.”
The twins’ godmother, Regina Holmes, expressed the family’s heartbreak over the deaths and their mother’s actions. “This is really hard for the family,” Holmes said. “We want to bring awareness about fentanyl. We want anyone who has a family member, friend, or associate who is indulging in that particular drug to know that it is a fatal drug. We lost Juju and Jojo.”
The tragic case underscores the urgent need for greater awareness and preventive measures against the dangers of fentanyl, especially for the most vulnerable.
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