Tuesday, a Louisiana man is accused of setting fire to a New Orleans home and murdering three children.
Police said in a statement that Joseph Washington Sr., 29, was arrested in New Orleans one day after the fire that killed his three children, aged 8, 5, and 3.
At 11:55 p.m., the children’s mother called 911 to report that she was at work, but that their father was threatening to torch their home, police said.
Investigation into fatal fires (WDSU)
NBC affiliate WDSU of New Orleans aired an audio recording of a call in which a mother tells a dispatcher that someone is on the phone threatening to set fire to her home and urging her to haste.
Immediately after the 911 call, a fire was reported, according to police. The 8-year-old and 5-year-old were rescued but later died at a hospital, while the 3-year-old was discovered deceased in the burned home, according to police.
Police say Washington is charged with three counts of second-degree homicide, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, and one count of aggravated arson.
Wednesday night, according to detention records, he was in custody. It was initially unclear whether or not he had an attorney.
New Orleans police said he jumped from an overpass before being arrested and was taken to a hospital for evaluation of potential injuries.
