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Mazouri Jones died from dehydration and malnutrition when her mother allegedly left her for days in a home in the middle of the winter without heat, police say
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NEED TO KNOW
- Valencia Duke has been arrested on murder and child cruelty charges in connection to the January killing of her toddler daughter, Mazouri Jones
- Mazouri’s twin brother was so malnourished that upon his rescue, he tried to eat the paramedic’s stethoscope, mistaking it for food, police allege
- Photos from the scene of the alleged crime show filth and clutter around the house where the children were found
A Washington, D.C., mom has been charged in connection with the January death of one of her twin toddlers.
The 13-month-old girl, Mazouri Jones, was found “deceased and decomposing” inside a Washington, D.C., residence on Jan. 18, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia said in separate statements.
Mazouri’s twin brother was also found “dehydrated and malnourished,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged in its statement.
The children’s mother, 25-year-old Valencia Duke, was arrested on Wednesday, June 3, on several charges including first-degree murder, the statements said.
An autopsy revealed Mazouri died from dehydration and malnutrition due to neglect, MPD alleged in its statement.
Investigators allege Duke left the children inside the residence between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office; it wasn’t immediately clear who reported the unconscious child to police on Jan. 18.
Court documents, including photos from the scene, obtained by ABC 7 and FOX 5, allege that Duke intentionally left the children alone in a playpen for days without food or heat during a period of unusually cold winter weather.
Police say Mazouri’s twin brother was so starved that he reportedly tried to eat the stethoscope of the paramedic, mistaking it for food, FOX 5 reported.
Photos included in the charging documents show piles of clutter, food containers and household items scattered throughout the room.
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Duke allegedly confessed to leaving her children without food or water in the apartment for four days, WUSA 9, DC News Now and WJLA reported.
She has been charged with first-degree felony murder and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and MPD.
A judge ordered she be held without bond, WUSA 9, DC News Now and WJLA reported.
It wasn’t immediately clear if she has entered pleas; PEOPLE was unable to reach her attorney.
