Their mother was at work when she got a call from the house. She could hear the children screaming in the background before the line went dead.
The Fire
Three children -- a 5-year-old girl and two boys, ages 8 and 3 -- died in a house fire at their father's New Orleans home. Their mother called 911 around 11:55 p.m. after receiving a disturbing call from the house, telling the dispatcher she could hear the children and their father screaming and pleading for officers to break down the door. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the house engulfed in flames. The 5-year-old and 8-year-old were pulled from the home but died at a hospital about an hour later; the 3-year-old was found and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Arrest
Joseph Washington, 29, was taken into custody the following Wednesday after his car was found partially submerged in the Mississippi River and he was seen on a nearby highway overpass, apparently attempting to jump. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of cruelty to juveniles, and one count of aggravated arson, and was held without bond.
A Documented History
Police said Washington had a history of domestic violence with the children's mother. Court records showed she had filed for divorce from Washington in 2019, alleging repeated assaults, including an incident in 2018 in which he pushed her against a wall and choked her, and a separate incident in which he choked her again while she was holding their infant child.
A Family's Grief
The children's aunt organized a fundraiser to help the family, describing the children as "angels" and directly attributing their deaths to domestic violence.
FAQ
What charges does Joseph Washington face?
Three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of cruelty to juveniles, and one count of aggravated arson.
Was there a history of domestic violence in this family?
Yes. Court records show the children's mother had filed for divorce in 2019 citing repeated instances of physical abuse.
How were the children's deaths discovered?
Their mother called 911 after receiving a disturbing call from the home; firefighters found the house engulfed in flames when they arrived.