Authorities say one 13-month-old child died while her twin brother survived after days without adequate care.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 25-year-old woman has been charged with first-degree felony murder after authorities alleged she left her 13-month-old twins alone in a District apartment for several days, resulting in the death of one child and the hospitalization of the other.
Police said Valencia Duke was arrested this week following a months-long investigation into the Jan. 18 death of her daughter, Mazouri Jones. Prosecutors allege the twins were left unattended in an apartment on Southern Avenue for most of a four-day period. Medical findings later concluded that the girl died from dehydration and malnourishment caused by neglect, leading investigators to classify the death as a homicide. The surviving twin brother was found alive but in critical condition.
According to court records and police statements, officers responded shortly before 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 to reports of an unconscious child at an apartment building in Southeast Washington. When first responders entered the residence, they found the twins inside a playpen. Mazouri was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said her body had already begun decomposing. Her brother was rushed to a hospital after emergency personnel determined he was suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition. Investigators later alleged Duke had spent only a small portion of the previous 92 hours inside the apartment with the children. Police said the twins had effectively been left alone for most of that period. The circumstances prompted an immediate criminal investigation involving homicide detectives and child welfare authorities.
Investigators described conditions inside the apartment as unsanitary and cluttered. Court filings included photographs showing piles of laundry, scattered food waste and debris throughout the living area. Authorities also reported finding suspected crack cocaine within the residence. Prosecutors contend the children lacked consistent access to food, water and adult supervision during the days leading up to the emergency call. Medical personnel who treated the surviving boy reportedly observed signs of extreme starvation, including visible ribs and dangerously low body temperature. Accounts from emergency responders described a child so desperate for nourishment that he attempted to chew on medical equipment while being treated. Officials have not publicly disclosed the boy’s current condition or whether he has suffered any long-term health effects. The investigation has not identified any other adults who were responsible for supervising the children during the period in question.
The case has drawn attention because of both the children’s ages and the severity of the allegations. Child neglect cases involving prolonged abandonment are relatively uncommon, but prosecutors often pursue homicide charges when investigators determine that a caregiver’s actions directly caused a child’s death. In this case, authorities said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed its findings on April 3. The medical examiner determined that Mazouri died from dehydration and malnourishment resulting from neglect. The ruling classified the death as a homicide, providing a key basis for the murder charge filed against Duke. Public records indicate the twins were only 13 months old at the time they were discovered. Officials have not released additional information about prior interactions between the family and child protective agencies, if any existed.
Duke was formally charged with first-degree felony murder and two counts of cruelty to children. Prosecutors have not announced whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. During an initial court appearance, defense counsel told the court that Duke is approximately 13 weeks pregnant. Details about any defense strategy have not yet been made public. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 11, when prosecutors are expected to outline evidence supporting the charges and a judge will consider the next steps in the case. Court proceedings could provide additional information about the timeline of events, witness statements and investigative findings that have not yet been released.
Neighbors and community members have expressed shock over the allegations as details emerged through court filings and police announcements. The apartment building where the children were found became the focus of investigators for months as authorities reviewed medical records, interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence. The surviving child’s recovery remains one of the central concerns in the case. While officials have released limited information about his current circumstances, authorities confirmed he survived conditions that investigators described as life-threatening. The death of Mazouri Jones and the allegations surrounding her final days have prompted renewed discussion about child welfare protections and the challenges investigators face when reconstructing events involving very young victims who cannot speak for themselves.
The case remains active. Duke is being held to face the pending charges, and a June 11 court hearing is expected to provide the next public update as prosecutors continue presenting evidence related to the death and neglect allegations.
Author note: Last updated June 5, 2026.