VAN NUYS (CNS) – A Winnetka woman charged in the deaths of her twin 3- year-old sons, potentially from exposure to fentanyl, made an initial appearance in a Van Nuys courtroom Tuesday, but her arraignment was delayed.
Jestice James, 22, is facing two counts each of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, along with allegations of child endangerment, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The boys were identified in the criminal complaint as Josiah J. and Jestine J.
Bail for James has been set at $4 million. She appeared in court in Van Nuys on Tuesday, but her arraignment was put over until July 31.
Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami said outside court Tuesday that it’s possible the tots could have accidentally inhaled fentanyl fumes causing death.
“A small amount of fentanyl can kill an adult, but an even smaller amount can kill a child,” Hatami said. “Children can ingest (a fatal dose) in the form of second-hand smoke. I hope everyone is paying attention to this.”
The prosecutor added, “It’s a very sad case.”
It will be up to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner to determine what caused the boys’ deaths.
In a statement, District Attorney George Gascón said, “These innocent boys reportedly came into contact with fentanyl, an opioid that has wreaked havoc across our communities. This tragedy is part of a disturbing trend where babies and toddlers are increasingly becoming victims of the opioid crisis. The deadly capabilities of fentanyl cannot be overstated, and it is our collective responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Police and paramedics responded at about 11:20 a.m. Thursday to a home in the 20000 block of Sherman Way, near Winnetka Avenue, where Jestice James found her 3-year-old twin boys “unresponsive,” according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The boys were both taken to a hospital, where Josiah was pronounced dead early Thursday afternoon and Jestine was pronounced dead Saturday, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children had ingested, or been exposed to, an unknown substance,” according to an LAPD statement released Friday. “The mother and other residents of the home were transported to the LAPD Topanga Community Police Station for questioning.”
The boys’ mother was arrested Thursday night by the LAPD’s Juvenile Division and has remained behind bars since then, according to jail records.
James faces a potential life prison term if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
A witness told KTLA5 that the boys’ parents were hysterical as a neighbor attempted to perform CPR on the children before paramedics arrived.
“I came in, there’s a kid sitting on the table and I started giving him CPR, and my friend says, `Oh my God, there’s another one,”‘ neighbor Chris Burko told the station.
A member of the James family said outside court Tuesday that relatives were not aware the mother of the deceased toddlers was using fentanyl or may have had a drug problem.
Hatami said “multiple people” were inside the home when the children were exposed to the drug, and more charges may be forthcoming. The LAPD investigation remains open, he said.
“In L.A. we have a major problem with fentanyl — and it’s impacting children,” the prosecutor said. “These cases seem to be increasing in L.A. County.”
Hatami, who is assigned to the D.A.’s child abuse unit, said he is working four additional cases in the area involving children who have been killed by fentanyl exposure in the past six months. He said the James case was the first case of its kind to be filed in the county.
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