Authorities in New York City have charged two Bronx women with murder and other crimes after reportedly starving a 16-year-old autistic boy to death in a severely neglected apartment. Geneva Jarvis, 36, and her mother, Denise Jarvis, 62, were arrested in connection with the death of Adonis Jarvis, who died on March 19 at Lincoln Medical Center. The boy’s twin brother, who was found in similarly dire condition, survived but faces a prolonged recovery.
Police responded to the hospital on the evening of March 19 following a 911 call made by Geneva Jarvis, who reported that one of her twins was not breathing. Emergency responders administered CPR before transporting Adonis to the pediatric division at Lincoln Medical Center. The boy, weighing only 59 pounds, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide, attributing it to chronic neglect, starvation, and dehydration.
The surviving twin was discovered at their East 147th Street apartment in the South Bronx. Authorities described the conditions inside the home as deplorable, with rooms filled with garbage, debris, and clothing piled high. The brothers were found covered in bedsores, feces, and flies, the Bronx District Attorney’s office said. The surviving twin weighed approximately 60 pounds and was unresponsive when police arrived.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark highlighted the failure of the family to provide adequate care, stating that both women neglected their responsibility. The Bronx Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), which had been aware of the family’s situation for more than a decade, confirmed it had secured the safety of the surviving child but declined to provide further case-specific information.
The Jarvis family reportedly withdrew the twins from their public school, The Academy for Career and Living Skills, in January, citing difficulties related to the lack of paraprofessional support and challenges in managing the boys' mobility.
At their arraignment in Bronx Supreme Court on Thursday, both Geneva and Denise Jarvis pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder, assault, and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. They were remanded to Rikers Island without bail and are scheduled to appear in court again on October 27.
Neighbors and building staff expressed shock at the situation. The building superintendent recalled the boy’s emaciated appearance and described how the mother had placed Adonis in the hallway while the grandmother waited downstairs for emergency personnel. Medical records presented by prosecutors indicated that the surviving twin had lost 20 pounds since his last documented doctor’s visit in August 2024. Both boys had autism and a history of seizures, underscoring their vulnerability.
The case raises broader concerns about the effectiveness of child welfare interventions amidst long-term neglect allegations. Investigations continue as authorities work to ensure the surviving child’s care and pursue justice in the tragic death of Adonis Jarvis.