A Michigan mother who allegedly started a house fire on Saturday was charged with murder after her daughter succumbed to her injuries on Monday.
Rochonda Singleton, 46, was charged with murder after her daughter, Shamiya Stewart, 12, passed away following a fire at their Grand Rapids residence, as reported by WOOD-TV. Allegedly, Singleton intentionally started the fire that led to the tragic incident.
As per MLive, it was revealed that Singleton deactivated all seven smoke detectors in the house and confined her three children to their respective rooms before setting the home ablaze by pouring lighter fluid. Fortunately, the other two children, aged 10 and 7, managed to escape the flames. Disturbingly, police bodycam footage captured firefighters rescuing Stewart from a second-floor window.
“(Those were) screams that will live on in our heads for the rest of our lives,” Fire Chief Brad Brown commented.
Reportedly, Singleton informed investigators that her intention was to perish with her three daughters so that they could be liberated. She had been hospitalized for mental health issues in August and had a troubling history of making threats and displaying paranoid behavior, according to information provided by WOOD.
Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom said the children’s father is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. He did not live in the home where Saturday’s deadly fire took place, he added.
In addition to murder, Singleton is charged with first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. She was arraigned on the two lesser charges on Tuesday. It is unclear when she will be arraigned on the murder charge.
[Feature Photo: Kent County jail/GoFundMe]
