Prosecutors allege a 13-month-old girl died after being left alone for days with her twin brother in a Southeast Washington apartment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 25-year-old Washington woman has been charged with murder and child cruelty after authorities said one of her 13-month-old twins was found dead and decomposing inside an apartment while her brother survived in a severely malnourished condition.
Authorities say the case centers on the death of Mazouri Jones, whose body was discovered Jan. 18 inside a Southeast Washington residence. Prosecutors allege the child died from dehydration and malnutrition after being left unattended for several days. Her mother, Valencia Duke, was arrested this week and faces first-degree felony murder and child cruelty charges. The case has drawn attention because investigators say the surviving twin was found in critical condition beside his sister and showed signs of extreme neglect.
According to charging documents and statements released by law enforcement, officers responded to the apartment on Jan. 18 after receiving a report involving an unresponsive child. When first responders entered the residence, they found Mazouri dead inside a playpen. Investigators later described the child as being in a decomposed state. Nearby, her twin brother was discovered alive but suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition. Authorities allege the children had been left alone in the apartment for several days during a period of cold winter weather. Prosecutors contend that Duke left the residence around Jan. 14 and did not return before emergency crews arrived. An autopsy later determined that Mazouri died from dehydration and malnutrition resulting from neglect. The surviving child was transported for emergency medical treatment and remained under care after being rescued.
Court records allege the apartment contained significant clutter and unsanitary conditions. Investigators reported finding household items, food containers and other debris scattered throughout the residence. Prosecutors say the children had been confined to a playpen and were left without adequate food, water or supervision. One allegation that drew particular attention involved the surviving twin’s condition when paramedics arrived. According to investigators, the boy was so hungry that he attempted to chew on a paramedic’s stethoscope, apparently mistaking it for food. Authorities have not publicly identified who initially contacted emergency services or what events led to the discovery of the children. Duke was arrested on June 3 and subsequently charged. Public court filings indicate prosecutors believe the neglect was intentional and prolonged. Defense attorneys had not publicly outlined a detailed response to the allegations at the time of Duke’s arrest.
The case has renewed scrutiny of severe child-neglect investigations and the challenges authorities face when abuse occurs behind closed doors. Fatal neglect cases often involve lengthy investigations because prosecutors must establish timelines, living conditions and the actions of caregivers before filing homicide-related charges. In this case, investigators spent months reviewing evidence gathered from the apartment, medical records and witness statements before presenting charges. The death of a child from dehydration and malnutrition is relatively uncommon compared with other causes investigated by child welfare agencies, making the allegations particularly disturbing to prosecutors and medical experts. Officials have emphasized that the surviving twin’s condition helped investigators reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the children’s final days. Court documents suggest both children were exposed to the same environment and conditions during the period in question. Authorities have not indicated that any other adults have been charged in connection with the case.
Duke now faces a first-degree felony murder charge along with two counts of first-degree cruelty to children. Prosecutors allege the evidence supports the conclusion that her actions directly led to the death of Mazouri and endangered the surviving twin. A judge ordered Duke held without bond following her arrest. Court proceedings are expected to continue in the District of Columbia Superior Court as prosecutors prepare additional evidence and witness testimony. Investigators may also present forensic findings, medical records and statements collected during the months-long inquiry. The surviving child remains a central figure in the case, although authorities have released limited information about his current condition because of his age. Future hearings are expected to address evidence disclosure, legal motions and scheduling matters as the criminal case advances through the court system.
The allegations have prompted emotional reactions from investigators and community members following the release of court records. Prosecutors described the circumstances surrounding the twins as deeply troubling and pointed to the children’s ages when discussing the severity of the charges. Images documented during the investigation reportedly showed a residence filled with clutter and evidence of neglect. The surviving twin’s rescue has also become a focal point of the case, with officials noting that he received emergency care after being found alive beside his sister. While many questions remain unanswered, including who first alerted authorities and whether additional warning signs were missed, investigators say the evidence collected from the apartment, autopsy findings and witness interviews formed the basis for the charges now pending against Duke.
The case remains active. Duke is being held pending further court proceedings, and prosecutors are expected to continue presenting evidence as hearings move forward. The next major milestone will be future court appearances in the District of Columbia, where the charges and evidence will be examined in greater detail.
Author note: Last updated June 6, 2026.