Three Florida children were killed over the weekend in an early-Saturday-morning fire that authorities believe was started by their grandfather’s ex-girlfriend.
Marcus Clark, 10; Kiani Clark, 8; and Kemaren Clark, 4, all died in a fire that began around 4:30 a.m. in their grandfather’s home, the Arcadia Police Department confirmed, according to WINK. The children were sleeping when the fire broke out.
A woman who was also inside the house at the time the fire broke out was able to escape unharmed.
Authorities arrested 49-year-old Marian Evette Williams in connection with the deadly fire. Williams, who is the ex-girlfriend of the three boys’ grandfather, is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and arson.
She was ordered held without bond after an initial court appearance Sunday morning, and her next court date is scheduled for April 10.
A community is left heartbroken after the loss of the three boys. According to WINK, the boys’ grandmother described Marcus as an ambitious, energetic go-getter. Kiani was always looking after the others as if he were the oldest, and Kemaren “always had a beautiful smile” on his face.
“Not a day’s gonna go by that we’re not going to remember them, think of them,” Clark told the news station. “I’m getting choked up.”
Read more at WINK.