News
East St. Louis mother charged in connection with fire that killed her five children
Sabrina M. Dunigan, 34, was charged with five counts of endangering the life or health of a child.
An East St Louis mother is being criminally charged for the deaths of her five children in an apartment fire in August, according to online court records obtained by St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Sabrina M. Dunigan, 34, was charged with five counts of endangering the life or health of a child, a felony charge. A judge set bail at $75,000.
East St Louis fire
On August 6, the East St Louis Fire Department says a fire broke out in an apartment building in the 500 block of 29th Street in East St Louis at around 3:45 a.m.
When the mother returned home after picking up another adult from work, reportedly her boyfriend, she saw the fire and tried to get her children out. Sadly, she was unsuccessful.
According to reports, four of the children died at the scene, while one died en route to a local hospital.
The victims have been identified as Deontay Davis Jr., 9, twins Heaven and Nevaeh, 8, Jabari Johnson, 4, and Loyal Dunigan, 2.
“They are blameless in this. They’re just kids. It’s tough,” East St Louis Assist. Fire Chief George McClellan said at the time.
A cause of the fire has not been revealed.
Though fire officials initially indicated that the children had been left home alone, The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the children’s grandfather, Greg Dunigan, and his wife said they lived in a separate part of the apartment and woke up to smoke.
Greg said flames forced him back and prevented him from getting to his grandchildren. He and his wife said they later jumped from the apartment’s second floor.
Sabrina and Greg previously told reporters that they suspect the incident started over an electrical fire and said their apartment lacked smoke detectors.
In response, the landlord said he put smoke detectors in all of his rental properties.
Greg Dunigan was shocked that authorities would charge his daughter with a crime after she already suffered the loss of all her 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 are sorely missed. They were known in their East St Louis community for being bright young kids with infectious smiles, loved food, and would do anything for their mom.
Funeral
At their funeral held at the Greater St. Marks Church of God and Christ in late August, the children were buried in custom caskets featuring their pictures as well as 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 at the time.
“If you look at the casket, it’s really a glimpse of their young lives,” he added.
News
5-year-old helps save his family from house fire
5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr. is being held a hero after saving his family from a house fire. Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.
5-year-old Juwan Perry Jr is being held a hero after alerting his mother to a house fire, saving his family lives.
5-year-old saves family
On Apr. 5th around 4:40 am, Juwan woke up to the smell of smoke in his home in Warren, Michigan.
He said he saw flames and called for his mother.
His screams came just in time, and his mom Brittany was able to get all seven of the children in the home outside to safety.
Juwan’s mom says if it wasn’t for her son they likely wouldn’t have survived.
As for Juwan, he told WXYZ-TV his motivation for helping save his family despite the fear. “Because I love everybody,” he said.
The Warren Fire Department got the fire under control but the home is a total loss.
To help in recovering from this devastating loss, a GoFundMe has been launched to support them during this challenging time.
News
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake strikes northeastern United States
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Lebanon, New Jersey shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the northeastern United States on Friday morning.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 4.8-magnitude earthquake was detected near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. Friday.
The earthquake was felt in New Hampshire down to Maryland.
According to the Richter scale, which is used to measure earthquake magnitude, they considered the event a “light” earthquake. Still, the geological survey posted on X that it was “notable.” They went on further to say earthquakes are “uncommon but not unheard of along the Atlantic Coast”.
It’s not yet clear if anyone was hurt in Friday’s quake.
News
9-year-old cancer survivor killed in tragic school bus accident
A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando.
A family is in mourning after a 9-year-old cancer survivor was tragically killed in an accident in Orlando, Florida.
9-year-old cancer survivor tragically killed
Elyas Amyr Marshall-Rodriguez got off the bus Tuesday afternoon and, as he was walking away from the bus, he dropped his football when he crawled under the bus to get it and the vehicle began moving.
Marshall-Rodriguez was in remission for leukemia when he was killed on Tuesday after being diagnosed at 2-years-old, according to his family who spoke at his vigil.
He loved life
“He was the life of the party,” said Trenae Gayle, Marshall-Rodriguez’ cousin. “He loved football; he loved basketball. He loved all sports.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident and the investigation is currently ongoing.
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