Horrific tragedy sees LA twin brothers aged 3 die at home ‘after mom made terrible decision’

The mother of twins is charged with murder after her three-year-old sons died from suspected drug exposure 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 Canoga Park, California, home on July 11.

The three-year-old twins were unresponsive when emergency services arrived at the apartment where James was staying with her boyfriend and family.

The boys were taken to a nearby hospital, but family members said it was too late. Josiah, the older of the twins, died later that 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 in which a parent has been charged in deaths related to an alleged fentanyl overdose, which is becoming a “disturbing trend.”

Jestine, left, and Josiah, right, were always full of energy and loved to cuddle, their cousins ​​said

The experienced prosecutor did not want to go into details about how the twins were exposed to fentanyl while the investigation is ongoing.

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 and they don’t smoke it. Adults do, but it’s the innocent children who pay the ultimate price. It’s unacceptable.”

“When it comes to fentanyl exposure, we must do everything we can to protect innocent children.”

James looked visibly upset as she appeared in court in Van Nuys on Tuesday afternoon, while a handful of her family members sat in the audience.

The young mother struggled to hold back tears as her mother, LaTina Allen, softly said, “I love you,” to her from across the courtroom.

James remains in the county jail pending a $4 million bail. She is due back in court on July 31 once an attorney is assigned to her case.

The young mother, seen here in an Instagram post, could face life in prison if found guilty of the charges

Paramedics responding to the 911 call found the twins unresponsive in the family’s Canoga Park apartment

Family members present at Tuesday’s hearing said James is a devoted mother who would not put her beloved sons in any danger.

The boys recently celebrated their birthday and were at the beach during the 4th of July holiday to celebrate with family.

The twins were rushed to a nearby hospital on July 11. Josiah, the eldest twin, died the same day, while his brother died two days later.

“Juju” and “Jojo” celebrated their third birthday on July 9. “They had a long life ahead of them, but unfortunately they were taken too soon, too young,” a family member said.

DailyMail.com has obtained family photos showing a smiling James with her two sons.

Josiah, the older of the two, was an inquisitive boy who was “very smart” and always curious, Allen said.

Although Jestine was the younger brother, “he always made sure that his older brother Jojo was okay, because he was a little bigger,” their grandmother said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe for the boys’ funeral expenses.

Hatami said most fatal opioid exposures in children occur in the home.

“Home should always be a safe place for a child, but most unintentional childhood exposure to illicit fentanyl occurs in the child’s home. We need more education, more awareness, and more accountability regarding the dangers of fentanyl to innocent babies and toddlers.”

The twins’ godmother, Regina Holmes, said their family is devastated by the deaths of the young boys and is also struggling with their mother’s “horrible decision.”

“This is really hard for the family,” Holmes said. “We want to raise awareness about fentanyl.

“We want anyone who has a family member, friend or acquaintance who is indulging in that particular drug to know that it is a deadly drug. We have lost Juju and Jojo.”