D.C. mother charged with homicide after baby, left alone for four days at home, found dead and decomposing

A District of Columbia (D.C.) woman has been arrested and charged after her child, just over one year old, died. The charges emerged from a homicide incident that reportedly came to light on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when officers responded to the 4700 block of Southern Avenue Southeast for a report of an unconscious child.

When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived, they discovered 13‑month‑old twins inside the apartment, a girl and a boy. The girl was pronounced dead at the scene, while her brother was rushed to the hospital suffering from dehydration and malnutrition. He remained under medical care for several days before being released.

On Friday, April 3, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the girl’s death was the result of dehydration and malnutrition caused by neglect. Officials classified the manner of death as homicide, according to DC News Now.


The accused Valencia Duke, 25, was arrested on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) by members of the Capitol Regional Fugitive Task Force and is charged with first‑degree felony murder and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children, as reported by FOX 5 D.C. The victim was identified as Mazouri Jones, of Southeast, D.C.

Investigators said that when police officers arrived at the residence, they discovered the body of Duke’s 13‑month‑old daughter in a decomposed state, while her twin brother was found severely dehydrated and malnourished.

Court documents allege that Duke left both children alone in the home between January 14 and January 18, 2026. The boy was transported to the hospital, where he remained under care for several days before being released.

An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the girl died from dehydration and malnutrition caused by neglect, ruling her death a homicide. Duke’s defense attorney argued she had no specific intent to harm her child. She is currently being held without bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 11.

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