3-Year-Old Dies, Twin In Critical Condition In Possible Overdose: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — The mother of twin 3-year-old children was charged with murder after one of the boys died and the other remains in critical condition in a possible poisoning or overdose in Canoga Park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Jestice James, 22, was arrested on a charge of murder. She's being held on $2 million bail, the LAPD said Friday.

Police responded to the 20000 block of Sherman Way Thursday at 11:20 a.m. following a radio call regarding a child-death investigation. The LAPD said James had discovered the boys unresponsive.

LA Fire Department paramedics also responded to the scene, initiated life-saving measures and transported both children to a local hospital. One of the twins was pronounced dead at the hospital, the other remains in critical condition, the LAPD said.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the children had ingested, or been exposed to, an unknown substance," police said.

The boy who died was identified as Josiah James by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

A witness told KTLA that the parents were hysterical as a neighbor attempted to perform CPR on the boys.

“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 said.

James and other residents of the home were transported to the LAPD Topanga Community Police Station for questioning. The other residents are not being investigated further, though the investigation into James' involvement in the boys' death is ongoing, police said.