A Bronx mother and grandmother have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the starvation death of a 16-year-old boy with autism. Geneva Jarvis, 36, and Denise Jarvis, 62, were taken into custody Thursday, authorities said.
Police responded to Lincoln Medical Center on March 19 after the teen, Adonis Jarvis, was brought in and pronounced dead. Investigators initially deemed the death suspicious, and the city medical examiner's office later ruled it a homicide, citing chronic neglect, starvation, and dehydration as the causes. It is unclear how long the alleged mistreatment had been ongoing.
Adonis and his twin brother, who was also found to be in a similar state of neglect, were reportedly brought to the hospital by their mother. The twin brother survived, but his current condition and whereabouts are unknown. The family resides in the South Bronx.
Both Geneva Jarvis and Denise Jarvis were awaiting arraignment. The investigation is ongoing.