Michigan – In a heartbreaking incident in Michigan, a 46-year-old mother, identified as R. Singleton, has been charged with multiple crimes, including murder, after she deliberately set her house on fire, resulting in the death of her 12-year-old daughter, identified as S. Stewart, and endangering her two other daughters.
Singleton was arrested and charged after she allegedly confessed to setting her home ablaze while her three daughters were asleep inside. According to police reports, before starting the fire early Saturday morning, Singleton removed seven smoke detectors from the house, effectively preventing any early warning for the sleeping children. The smoke detectors were later found stuffed in a pillowcase in the backyard.
Authorities detailed that Singleton used lighter fluid before setting the home on fire, then stood outside the residence, watching as her daughters screamed from inside the burning house. This act of arson led to the tragic death of Singleton’s eldest daughter, Stewart, who succumbed to her injuries two days later in intensive care. The other two daughters, aged 7 and 10, managed to escape; the 10-year-old helped her younger sister out of the house. Both suffered minor injuries. The surviving 10-year-old expressed her grief and disbelief to local media: “I want to say that she should be locked up for life for killing my sister. I want to know, why did she have to do that to her? She didn’t deserve that.”
Following the incident, Singleton was quickly taken into custody and initially charged with first-degree arson and second-degree child abuse. Following the death of her daughter, additional murder charges were filed. Police Chief E. Winstrom described the crime as “shockingly cruel, unimaginable” and confessed at a press conference that he “cannot fathom any motive.” Court documents reveal that Singleton had a history of mental health issues, having been admitted to a mental health facility in August, just a few months before the tragic incident. This aspect of her history may become a focal point in her defense and in understanding the circumstances leading up to the fire.
The local community has been left in shock by the severity and nature of the crime. A GoFundMe account has been established to cover the burial and legal expenses for Stewart, as well as to support the care of her surviving sisters. This initiative reflects the community’s effort to rally support for the bereaved and traumatized family members during this incredibly difficult time. As the case progresses, the community and the nation watch closely, seeking justice for Stewart and her sisters while grappling with the profound questions about mental health and parental responsibility that this case raises. The court proceedings are expected to attract significant attention as further details about Singleton’s motive and mental state are revealed.
