Pregnant mom left 13-month-old twins alone in playpen for 4 days until 1 was found decomposing: Police

A shocking child neglect case in Washington, D.C., has led to murder charges against a 25-year-old pregnant mother after authorities say she abandoned her 13-month-old twins for nearly four days, resulting in the death of one child and the near-death of the other. Prosecutors allege the children were left alone in a playpen with no adequate food, water, or supervision while their mother spent most of her time away from the apartment.

Mother Charged After Tragic Discovery Inside Apartment

Police identified the mother as Valencia Duke, 25. She has been charged with first-degree felony murder in connection with the death of her daughter, Mazouri Jones, and faces two additional counts of cruelty to children. Authorities arrested her after an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the children’s condition.

The case came to light on January 18 when officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of an unconscious child at an apartment building on Southern Avenue in Washington, D.C.

Officers Found One Twin Dead and Another Fighting for Survival

When first responders entered the apartment, they found the twin children inside a playpen. Authorities said the little girl, identified as Mazouri Jones, had already died and her body was in an advanced state of decomposition. Her twin brother was still alive but suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration.

The surviving child was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. According to court records cited by local media, the boy’s condition was critical. He reportedly appeared extremely thin, suffered from hypothermia, and had visible ribs protruding from his body due to starvation.

Disturbing Details Revealed by Medical Responders

One of the most heartbreaking details to emerge from the investigation involved the surviving twin’s desperate condition. Reports indicate that when paramedics attempted to treat him, the child allegedly tried to eat a paramedic’s stethoscope, apparently mistaking it for food due to extreme hunger.

Medical personnel worked quickly to stabilize the boy, whose condition highlighted the severity of the neglect alleged by investigators.

Investigation Found Children Were Left Alone for Nearly Four Days

Court documents indicate that Duke allegedly left the twins completely unattended for most of a 92-hour period. Investigators claim that during those nearly four days, she spent only about two hours total inside the apartment with the children.

Authorities allege the toddlers had no meaningful adult supervision during that period and were left confined to their playpen while their mother remained away from the residence.

Timeline of the Alleged Neglect

According to investigators, the twins were abandoned for the vast majority of the four-day period leading up to the emergency call. By the time officers arrived, one child had already succumbed to dehydration and starvation while the other was barely alive. The investigation focused on establishing how long the children had been left alone and whether anyone else had access to the apartment during that time.

Medical Examiner Ruled Death a Homicide

The case took a major turn on April 3 when the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed its findings. Officials determined that Mazouri Jones died from dehydration and malnourishment caused by neglect. The manner of death was officially ruled a homicide.

The medical examiner’s findings provided the basis for the murder charge later filed against Duke. Investigators concluded that the conditions under which the child died were directly connected to prolonged neglect and abandonment.

Cause of Death

According to the official ruling, the toddler’s death was attributed to:

• Dehydration
• Malnourishment
• Neglect

The determination that neglect directly caused the fatal condition elevated the case from a child welfare investigation to a homicide prosecution.

Photos Revealed Unsanitary Living Conditions

Court documents included photographs showing the condition of the apartment where the twins were discovered. Investigators described a cluttered and unsanitary environment surrounding the playpen where the children had been confined.

Images reportedly showed laundry scattered around the area, food waste throughout the residence, and generally filthy living conditions. Authorities also noted the presence of crack cocaine within the living space, raising additional concerns about the environment in which the children were living.

Evidence Collected by Investigators

According to court filings, investigators documented:

• A cluttered apartment filled with debris
• Laundry piled around the playpen
• Food waste and trash throughout the residence
• Unsanitary conditions where the children were confined
• Crack cocaine allegedly present inside the apartment

These conditions became part of the evidence reviewed during the criminal investigation.

Court Appearance Revealed Mother Is Pregnant

Duke appeared in court following her arrest. During the hearing, her defense attorney informed the court that she is approximately 13 weeks pregnant.

The pregnancy disclosure drew additional public attention to the case, though it does not alter the charges currently pending against her. Prosecutors continue to pursue the homicide and child cruelty allegations.

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

Following her initial court appearance, Duke was scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on June 11. During future proceedings, prosecutors are expected to present evidence related to the timeline of the children’s abandonment, medical findings, and conditions inside the apartment.

Community Reaction and Ongoing Case

The allegations have sparked widespread outrage because of the age and vulnerability of the victims. The death of one twin and the severe condition of the surviving child have drawn attention to issues involving child neglect, intervention systems, and the responsibilities of caregivers.

As the criminal case moves forward, investigators and prosecutors continue to examine all circumstances surrounding the children’s treatment and the events leading up to the tragic discovery. The surviving twin remains the sole witness to a case that authorities describe as one of the most disturbing child neglect incidents they have encountered.