GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A 46-year-old mother faces criminal charges after investigators say she set fire to her home, killing one of her children and harming her two others.
The Grand Rapids police and fire departments announced Monday that Roconda Singleton is in custody on multiple charges in connection to the fire from Saturday morning.
“From what I saw, there was not the concern that you would expect from a mom whose children were in danger,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said.
Crews responded to the home on Eastern Avenue before 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 25. Firefighters found three people who were hurt in the fire.
Grand Rapids
3 hospitalized after Saturday morning fire in Grand Rapids
We now know the victims are all girls, ages 12, 10 and 7. The youngest two were released from the hospital during the weekend. The oldest has since passed away, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. She has been identified as Shamiya Stewart.
The 12-year-old suffered smoke inhalation and burns from the fire, Chief Brown said.
Neighbor Randall May recalls hearing screams for help. “It was like in a live movie or something, you know," May said. "So I'm shocked.”
A group effort by the Grand Rapids Police Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, Michigan State Police, and the ATF found evidence the fire was deliberately set.
Investigators say Singleton took down all seven smoke detectors in the home, bagged them, and took them outside. Singleton may also have tried to block her children inside the home, according to Chief Winstrom. Detectives say she poured lighter fluid throughout the house and lit it on fire, with the aim of killing her children.
Singleton now faces one count of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree child abuse. If convicted, she could spend life in prison.
The 46-year-old did not have an extensive criminal history, but Chief Winstrom said some officers do know her from past interactions. He declined to elaborate whether there was a history of mental health episodes.
The police department released some footage from body-worn cameras, showing flames shooting out of windows on both stories of the home.
"It was difficult to watch, even though I've seen this video before," said Chief Winstrom. "If you believe in the power of prayer, I do. I'm praying for this little girl at Helen DeVos Children Hospital."
WATCH THE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE BELOW
The footage shows an officer asking Singleton if there are any children still inside. She told the officer yes and gave directions on where in the house her daughter was.
Four search teams of firefighters entered the home to find the girl, despite the flames and black smoke that made it impossible to see but a few inches. Crews found her in an upstairs bedroom and carried her out.
"All the black smoke billowing out on the second floor is unburned fuel, so our members place themselves directly in harm's way to save a life," said Chief Brown. "That's what we take an oath to do, and that's what we did."
In footage, firefighters can be seen performing CPR on the girl. FOX 17 has chosen to not show that portion of the video in the girl's consideration.
Overall 13 GRFD trucks and 42 firefighters responded to the fire. Chief Brown says his department will support any firefighter who struggles with the mental and emotional weight of dealing with such a charged scene where a life was on the line.
"Those are screams that will probably live on in many of our heads the rest of our lives," said Chief Brown. "It's important for us to know how to deal with those so when we come back to do the job the next day, we're ready to go."
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