Child dies after drug use, twins in hospital; mother arrested

A 3-year-old boy died Thursday and his twin brother is in critical condition after the two were exposed to or ingested deadly drugs, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to The Times.

LAPD officials declined to comment Friday on the substances involved, but law enforcement sources familiar with the case said the toddlers came into contact with drugs laced with fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid. The sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said the drugs were easily accessible in parts of the Canoga Park home where the boys were found unconscious Thursday morning.

Emergency crews arrived at the Sherman Way home shortly after 11 a.m., where paramedics attempted to save the children’s lives, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release. Both boys were taken to the hospital, but only one arrived alive.

Josiah James was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Los Angeles County coroner. He had just celebrated his third birthday two days earlier.

His brother, whose name was not released, is still in the hospital. Law enforcement sources said his condition is serious.

The twins’ mother, Jestice James, was arrested on suspicion of murder. James, 22, is being held on $2 million bail.

LAPD officials said no other residents of the home are under investigation but released few details about the case. The overall investigation, including the cause of the child’s death, is ongoing.

Law enforcement sources said the family has already contacted the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Officials and doctors have recently pointed to a worrying trend of increasing numbers of babies and young children being killed by fentanyl, underscoring the deadly effects of this extremely powerful and addictive opioid.

Earlier this year, a 2-year-old boy in Lancaster died after being exposed to fentanyl during a visit with his mother authorized by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The child was in foster care but was exposed to the county’s deadliest drug during a visit with his mother.

His father, who lived separately from his mother, plans to sue the district’s youth welfare office for failing to protect the toddler.