A Michigan woman has been arrested after police say she set fire to her home with her three children inside, resulting in the tragic death of her 12-year-old daughter. The heartbreaking incident took place in Grand Rapids on January 25, when 46-year-old Roconda Singleton allegedly started a fire in her home, killing her daughter, Shamiya Stewart. Shamiya died two days later from the injuries, but her younger siblings, a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, managed to escape and survive.
Authorities say Singleton went to extreme lengths to carry out the fire, removing all seven fire alarms from the house before starting the blaze. The alarms were later found in a pillowcase in the backyard. Police believe Singleton tried to prevent her children from escaping, as she stood outside watching the fire spread, with the girls trapped inside.
According to police, Singleton admitted to starting the fire. She reportedly used lighter fluid and a lighter to set fire to the bathroom on the second floor before moving to the living room and starting another fire there. All this, she confessed, was done while her children were asleep in the house.
In the aftermath, Shamiya’s younger sisters were rushed to the hospital but were quickly released. The family shared a touching message on a GoFundMe page set up to honor Shamiya. They described how the 10-year-old had grabbed her younger sister and jumped to safety during the fire, but Shamiya, who had been asleep, couldn’t escape in time. Shamiya’s family remembers her as a brave fighter, having overcome many challenges since her birth, including spending the first months of her life in the NICU. They described her as a loving girl who adored music, dancing, and electronics.
Singleton was originally charged with arson and child abuse, but after Shamiya’s death, she now faces a murder charge as well. She pleaded not guilty during her court appearance, and further legal proceedings are ongoing. The tragedy has left the community in shock, and authorities continue to investigate the horrifying incident.
