A New York mother and grandmother are facing murder charges after authorities say a 16-year-old boy with autism died from severe malnutrition while his twin brother narrowly survived under similar circumstances.
The NYPD announced the arrests of 62-year-old Denise Jarvis and 36-year-old Geneva Jarvis on Thursday, July 30. Both women live in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx and have been charged in connection with the March death of Adonis Jarvis.
Police were called to Lincoln Hospital on the evening of March 19 after receiving a report of a suspicious death.
Officers arrived and found Adonis’ severely malnourished body, according to the department. The New York City Chief Medical Examiner later ruled his death a homicide.
A law enforcement source said Adonis weighed only about 60 pounds when he died.
Adonis had a twin brother who also has autism. The brother was taken to Lincoln Hospital in a similarly malnourished condition but barely survived, according to the source.
Denise and Geneva Jarvis reportedly appeared to have been raising the two boys.
Authorities have not released further details about the conditions inside the home, how long the teenagers may have been deprived of food or whether child welfare officials had previously been involved with the family.
The women’s arraignment had not been scheduled as of Thursday afternoon, according to New York court records.
Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. The confidential hotline is available 24 hours a day in more than 170 languages.
