A Pennsylvania mother is facing murder charges after prosecutors say she left her three young children home alone while allegedly conducting a drug deal — and the children later died in a devastating house fire.
Authorities say 22-year-old Danozjna Shalita Marjie Williams left the children unsupervised for nearly an hour on March 29 before tragedy struck at their Erie, Pennsylvania, home.
According to investigators, a fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. inside the residence on East 26th Street while the children were still trapped inside.
The victims were identified as 3-year-old Da’Liyla, 5-year-old Tobias Huff, and 5-month-old Amirah Al-Mansouri.
Da’Liyla and Tobias were pronounced dead the same day as the fire. Baby Amirah survived for several days before tragically dying from her injuries on April 3.
Williams has now been charged with third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of children, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
She was denied bail during a court hearing on May 8.
According to court documents, firefighters responding to the blaze faced major obstacles while trying to rescue the children.
Investigators say a mattress was blocking the stairwell and a couch had been placed in front of a door at the top of the stairs, forcing crews to search for another way into the burning home.
Officials believe the fire started in the kitchen on the second floor, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
In a statement, Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz called the tragedy “completely preventable.”
“The evidence shows these young children were left without supervision in a situation where they needed their mother to protect them and keep them safe,” Hirz said.
“That duty was abandoned, with devastating consequences.”
The heartbreaking fire devastated the Erie community, with firefighters sharing emotional messages online after the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the Erie Firefighters wrote in a Facebook post.
Despite the criminal charges, some community members have still rallied around Williams following the unimaginable loss of her children.
A family friend created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expenses, saying the grieving mother still deserves compassion.
“No matter what you may feel should’ve happened, could’ve been done, or would’ve gone differently, this young mother has suffered an unfathomable, irreplaceable loss,” fundraiser organizer Sheda Crosby wrote.
The investigation into the deadly fire remains ongoing.