D.C. Mother Charged with Felony Murder Released to Halfway House After Preliminary Hearing

Valencia Duke, a 25-year-old mother charged in June for the death of her 13-month-old twin daughter Mazouri Jones due to dehydration and malnutrition, has been released from jail to a halfway house following her preliminary hearing on September 3. The tragic incident occurred on January 18 when police responded to a report of an unresponsive child at Duke's home in Washington D.C., where they found the body of Mazouri decomposing inside a playpen.

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Valencia Duke after discovering that she was allegedly present in her apartment for only two hours out of the critical 92-hour period before the discovery of Mazouri’s body. The living conditions at the residence were described as deplorable, with spoiled food and insect-infested infant formula found alongside bags of crack cocaine.

During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Duke made the initial 911 call reporting her daughter's death while yelling and crying. Despite this, D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park determined there was probable cause for the charges but decided to release Duke from jail to a halfway house under certain conditions.

The judge ordered Duke to stay away from children under 10 years old during the status conference on September 15. This ruling came after prosecutors requested she avoid contact with all minors under 16, citing concerns about her potential risk to other children. However, Duke's attorney argued that there was no evidence suggesting a general threat to children outside of her immediate family.

The Child and Family Services Agency will oversee any future interactions between Duke and her existing children as well as the newborn expected in December. The agency will also make decisions regarding Duke’s contact with her new baby when it is born, which is currently estimated for late December or early January 2027.

Duke's next court appearance is scheduled for December 11, where further proceedings and conditions of her release may be discussed. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by child welfare agencies in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children while navigating complex legal systems and individual circumstances.