A Michigan woman is in custody after police allege she set her house on fire with her three children inside, resulting in the tragic death of her 12-year-old daughter. The incident occurred in Grand Rapids, Mich., where the victim, Shamiya Stewart, succumbed to her injuries two days after the alleged attack. Her siblings, a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, miraculously survived the ordeal.
Roconda Singleton, 46, the mother of the three children, was arrested on Saturday, January 25, in connection with the horrifying event, according to Kent County online court records reviewed by PEOPLE. Authorities allege that Singleton intentionally removed seven fire alarms from the home before igniting the blaze on Saturday morning. The Associated Press (AP), FOX 17, and WOOD TV reported that the fire alarms were later found ringing inside a pillowcase in the backyard, indicating the premeditated nature of the attack.
Preliminary reports from Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom and unspecified court documents reveal that Singleton allegedly attempted to prevent her children from escaping the burning house. “As the fire spread and the girls began screaming for help, Singleton allegedly stood outside the home, watching the carnage,” police said, according to FOX 17.
During questioning, Singleton admitted to investigators that she was responsible for setting the fire. “Singleton stated she used lighter fluid and a lighter and started the fire in the bathroom on the second floor,” authorities alleged in a court document cited by WOOD TV. “Singleton then moved to the living room and put lighter fluid on the couch and started it on fire.” Furthermore, she “admitted doing all this knowing that her children were asleep in the home.”
Despite the severe conditions, Singleton’s two younger children managed to survive the attack. They were rushed to the hospital and subsequently released, as reported by WZZM 13. In a GoFundMe campaign established to honor Shamiya and support her surviving siblings and father, Stephen Gougeon shared that the younger girls were able to escape after the 10-year-old “grabbed her younger sister and jumped to safety.”
The fundraiser highlighted Shamiya’s resilient spirit, noting, “Shamiya was a fighter from the day she was born and fought to the very end. She grew to be a loving young lady who loved music, loved to dance, and loved her electronics.”
Shamiya’s family is grappling with the immense loss and the devastating impact of Singleton’s actions. The coroner’s report from the Dominican Republic confirmed that April and Oliver died from complications related to food poisoning, further deepening the family’s sorrow.
The legal proceedings against Roconda Singleton are ongoing, with authorities continuing to investigate the full extent of her actions and motives. The community has rallied around the surviving children and their father, offering support and condolences during this unimaginably difficult time.
This tragic case underscores the critical importance of mental health support and the severe consequences that can arise from unresolved personal issues. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on providing comfort and assistance to the surviving family members while seeking justice for the young lives lost.