Four children were killed in a fire at a home on Woodwind Drive in Paulding County on Friday, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities have arrested and charged a woman in connection with the domestic disturbance and house fire.
According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, four children died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident on Sunday morning. Another child has been hospitalized with minor injuries, according to Deputy Tyler McSwain.
While the investigation into the fire continues, residents are trying to come to terms with the devastating loss of those kids who were inside at the time and died, reportedly, at the hands of their mother.
“I just don’t know who would do that to their kids,” Holly Addison, a resident, told FOX 5.
Authorities in Paulding County said they got a call about the blaze and domestic disturbance at the residence fairly soon after 9 p.m. Friday. They had been told that while flames were raging inside the house, Darlene Brister, 40, was attempting to stab the children.
A neighbor told FOX 5 that they saw residents attempting to help some of the children get out of the house while others leaped out a second-story window.
Firefighters extinguished the flames and discovered the surviving children inside. Two of them died at the scene, while 3 others were rushed to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. One of those children ended up dying.
Neighbors said they have set up a GoFundMe page to help with memorial service expenses, and their focus is now on showing support for the family who ended up losing everything.
Brister is currently being held without bail. She is charged with malice murder, and authorities in Paulding County have said that more charges may be filed as the investigation is ongoing. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m.
