Officials in the Erie Police Department confirm that the third small child who suffered from likely smoke inhalation in an apartment fire March 29, has died from her injuries.
The baby girl, just 5-months-old, was treated first at UPMC Hamot Trauma Center before being flown to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh where she was under care, in critical condition for several days. The infant succumbed to her injuries on Friday.
Erie police chief Rick Lorah said the investigation into the fire tragedy is still active. The fire, which broke out in the kitchen area of the apartment trapped the children inside.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the children’s mother returned home after the children were rescued from the burning structure. They were all found in a bedroom across the apartment from the kitchen. Preliminary findings from fire and police investigators indicate that the small children were home alone.
The office of the Erie County Coroner last week released the names of the two children who died the day of the fire, after being rushed to UPMC Hamot. They are 5-year old Tobias, and 3-year old Da’Liyla Huff. The Davis-Garr Funeral Home on East 12th Street in Erie will be handling funeral arrangements for the siblings.
Coroner Cook will wait for toxicology test results to confirm smoke inhalation as the likely cause of death. Cook said the children did not suffer thermal injuries (burns).
Fire investigators say what sparked the fire is undetermined so far. Erie police detectives investigating the fire as a crime scene will refer their findings to the Erie County District Attorney’s office to determine what if any charges may be warranted.
A family friend started a gofundme page to raise financial support for the children’s funerals. That page has been updated to include word of the third child’s passing. You can find the information here.