A mother and grandmother have been charged with murder after a 16-year-old boy with autism died from starvation and dehydration at his family’s apartment in the Bronx, authorities said.
Prosecutors identified the defendants as Geneva Jarvis, 36, and Denise Jarvis, 62. The victim, Adonis Jarvis, was found weighing just 59 pounds and was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital on March 19.
Investigators also found Adonis’ twin brother, who also has autism, weighing only 60 pounds and suffering from severe malnutrition. According to prosecutors, both teenagers were covered in sores, feces and flies when they were discovered.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said the two women are accused of prolonged neglect and starvation of the twins. In addition to murder charges related to Adonis’ death, they also face assault and other charges connected to the surviving brother.
