Danozjna Williams, the mother of three children who died in a house fire on East 26th Street, has been charged with third‑degree homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, and recklessly endangering another person.
Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz announced the charges on May 6, shortly after 4:30 p.m.
According to investigators, Erie Police Detective James Langdon and Detective Sergeant Dave Madurski determined that Williams allegedly left her children unsupervised for an extended period while she facilitated a drug transaction.
While the children were home alone, a fire broke out, trapping them inside the residence. The victims were five years old, three years old, and five months old.
“This is a heartbreaking, but completely preventable tragedy,” District Attorney Hirz said. “The evidence shows these young children were left without supervision in a situation where they needed their mother to protect them and keep them safe. That duty was abandoned, with devastating consequences.”
The investigation remains ongoing. All charges are allegations, and Williams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.