Authorities say both 16-year-old brothers showed signs of prolonged neglect, but only one survived after reaching a hospital.
NEW YORK — The surviving twin brother of a Bronx teenager who authorities say died from starvation is facing a lengthy recovery as police and child-welfare officials investigate how two nonverbal boys became severely malnourished inside their family’s apartment.
The boys’ mother, Geneva Jarvis, 36, and grandmother, Denise Jarvis, 62, were arraigned Thursday and held without bail in the March 19 death of 16-year-old Adonis Jarvis. They face charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, depraved indifference assault and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Adonis and his twin brother had autism and were described by law enforcement as nonverbal. Police said both teenagers showed signs of chronic neglect, starvation and dehydration when they reached the hospital. Authorities also reported sores on their bodies. Adonis was pronounced dead, while his brother survived after receiving medical care.
The New York City medical examiner ruled Adonis’ death a homicide. Officials said an autopsy found that he died from starvation. A law enforcement source said the teenager weighed about 60 pounds when he died. Authorities have not released the surviving brother’s current condition beyond saying that his recovery is expected to take considerable time.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said the two caregivers failed to meet their responsibility to the brothers. Her statement focused not only on Adonis’ death but also on the lasting harm alleged to have been suffered by the surviving twin.
The family lived in a third-floor walk-up on East 147th Street in Mott Haven. The building superintendent described the apartment to WABC-TV as filled with garbage and clothing. He said he had repeatedly asked to enter the residence to complete repairs but was not allowed inside.
The superintendent said emergency workers were called on the night Adonis died and that the teenager was brought into the hallway before being taken away. His account did not establish what happened inside the apartment before the ambulance arrived, and authorities have not released a detailed timeline of the emergency response.
Several neighbors said the household was private and that they had not recognized signs of danger. One neighbor recalled seeing the twins use a school bus also ridden by her daughter, who has special needs. She said the boys appeared to have significant disabilities but that she saw nothing that caused alarm.
The gap between the conditions described by police and what neighbors said they observed outside the home is now part of the broader uncertainty surrounding the case. Officials have not said when the twins were last seen by educators, medical providers or other people outside the household before Adonis died.
The Administration for Children’s Services said it is investigating the death with the New York Police Department. The agency said protecting New York City children is its highest priority but did not provide details about the family’s history or whether the boys had previously been the subject of child-welfare reports.
The investigation and criminal proceedings remain active. The women were ordered detained while the case moves forward, and officials have not announced when additional information about the surviving brother or the child-welfare review will be released.
Author note: Last updated July 31, 2026.