The mother of twin boys is facing murder charges after her three-year-old sons died from alleged exposure to drugs laced with fentanyl.
Jestice James, 22, was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of child abuse after her twins, Josiah and Jestine, were found unresponsive in their home in Canoga Park, California, on July 11.
The three-year-old twins were unresponsive when paramedics arrived at the apartment where James was with her boyfriend and his family.
The children were taken to a nearby hospital, but relatives said it was too late. Josiah, the eldest of the twins, died that same night, while Jestine died two days later.
Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami told DailyMail.com that James’ case is the first in Los Angeles County where a father has been charged in deaths linked to an alleged fentanyl overdose, which is becoming a “concerning trend.”
Jestice James, 22, with her twins Jestine, left, and Josiah, right. The young mother has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of child abuse/endangerment under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily harm or death, according to prosecutors.
Jestine, left, and Josiah, right, were always full of energy and loved to give hugs, their cousins said.
The veteran prosecutor did not go into details about how the twins were exposed to fentanyl pending the ongoing investigation.
However, Hatami said there have been four other similar cases of children exposed to fentanyl in Los Angeles County in the past six months.
“Children are the most vulnerable,” Hatami said. “They don’t buy fentanyl or smoke it. Adults do, but it’s innocent children who pay the highest price. It’s unacceptable.”
“When it comes to fentanyl exposure, we must do everything we can to protect innocent children.”
James appeared visibly distraught as she appeared in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday afternoon, while a handful of her family members sat in the courtroom.
The young mother had to fight back tears as her mother, LaTina Allen, softly said, “I love you” from across the courtroom.
James will remain in county jail on $4 million bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 31, once a lawyer is assigned to his case.
The young mother, seen here in an Instagram post, could face life in prison if convicted of the charges.
Paramedics responding to a 911 call at the family’s Canoga Park apartment found the twins unresponsive.
Family members who attended Tuesday’s hearing said James is a loving mother who would not put her beloved children in any danger.
The boys recently celebrated their birthdays and were at the beach over the 4th of July holiday celebrating with family.
The twins were rushed to a nearby hospital on July 11. Josiah, the older twin, died the same day, while his brother died two days later.
‘Juju’ and ‘Jojo’ celebrated their third birthday on July 9. ‘They still had a long life ahead of them, but unfortunately they were taken too soon, too young,’ a family member said.
Family photos obtained by DailyMail.com show James smiling with his two children.
Josiah, the older of the two, was a curious boy, “very smart” and always on the lookout, Allen said.
Even though Jestine was the youngest sibling, he always “made sure his older brother Jojo was okay because he was a little bit bigger,” his grandmother said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe for the children’s funeral expenses.
Hatami said most lethal opioid exposure in children occurs in the family home.
“Home should always be a safe place for a child, but most unintentional pediatric exposure to illegal fentanyl occurs in a child’s home. We need more education, more awareness, and more accountability regarding the dangers of fentanyl as it relates to innocent infants and toddlers.”
The twins’ godmother, Regina Holmes, said her family is heartbroken by the boys’ deaths and is also dealing with their mother’s “terrible decision.”
“This is very hard on the family,” Holmes said. “We want to raise awareness about fentanyl.
“We want anyone who has a family member, friend or partner who uses that particular drug to know that it is a lethal drug. We lost Juju and Jojo.”
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