East St. Louis mother charged in connection with fire that killed her five children

An East St. Louis mother now faces criminal charges in the August apartment fire that killed her five children, according to online court records obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Authorities charged Sabrina M. Dunigan, 34, with five felony counts of endangering the life or health of a child. A judge set her bail at $75,000.

East St. Louis Fire

On Aug. 6, the East St. Louis Fire Department said a fire erupted in an apartment building in the 500 block of 29th Street at about 3:45 a.m.
Because Dunigan had left to pick up another adult from work, reportedly her boyfriend, she returned to find the home in flames.

She tried to rescue her children; however, heavy smoke and fire blocked her path.

Four children died at the scene, and one died while being taken to a local hospital.

• Deontay Davis Jr., 9
• Twins Heaven and Nevaeh, 8
• Jabari Johnson, 4
• Loyal Dunigan, 2

“They are blameless in this. They’re just kids. It’s tough,” East St. Louis Assistant Fire Chief George McClellan said.

Officials have not released a cause of the fire.

Family Disputes Early Reports

Although early statements suggested the children were alone, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the children’s grandfather, Greg Dunigan, and his wife said they lived in another part of the apartment. They said they woke up to smoke and tried to reach the children.

Greg said flames forced him back and blocked access to the room. He and his wife later jumped from the second floor to escape.

Sabrina and Greg previously told reporters they suspect
an electrical issue sparked the fire. They also said the apartment lacked smoke detectors. The landlord said he installed detectors in all of his rental units.

Greg Dunigan told reporters he was shocked that authorities charged his daughter after she lost all five children.

“Why are they trying to do this to her?” he told the newspaper. “She done lost all she can lose already. Why they want to take the rest away, meaning herself? She don’t have nothing left.”

Beautiful Children

The children were known in their East St. Louis community for being bright kids with warm smiles. They loved food, enjoyed games, and often helped their mother.

Funeral

Greater St. Marks Church of God in Christ held their funeral in late August and placed the children in custom caskets decorated with their photos and colorful images of ponies, butterflies, and video game scenes.

“These children were wonderful children. If you look at the caskets, each casket reflects their personal desires. The games they played with, the toys they liked, the colors they were interested in,” funeral director Walter Terry told KTVI.

“If you look at the casket, it’s really a glimpse of their young lives,” he added.