New Orleans father, 29, turns himself in after being seen driving away from house fire that killed his three children, ages eight, five and three: Dodge Charge getaway car found in Mississippi River
- Joseph Washington, 29, is accused of setting fire to the home where the children lived with Washington’s ex-wife, causing the children to die.
- Washington was arrested on Interstate 610 near an exit just outside the city
- The suspected Dodge Charger he used to escape was found floating in the river near a terminal on Wednesday morning
A man seen on a Ring doorbell camera leaving the scene of a New Orleans house fire that killed his three young children has turned himself in to police after his car was found in the Mississippi River.
Joseph Washington, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a minor and one count of aggravated arson.
He is accused of setting fire to the house where the children lived with Washington’s ex-wife, killing the eight-, five- and three-year-old children.
Washington was arrested on Interstate 610 near an exit just outside the city.
The suspected Dodge Charger he used to escape was found floating in the river near a terminal on Wednesday morning.
Joseph Washington, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a minor and one count of aggravated arson.
Washington’s father and the children’s grandfather earlier Wednesday begged for his son to turn himself in, told NOLA.com he has been in hospital ever since.
“He’s in the hospital right now,” Troy McDonnell said. “He tried to run, to escape.”
A report of the fire was received on Tuesday evening around 11:55 p.m. Firefighters didn’t arrive until 12:14 a.m. and ambulance crews didn’t arrive until 12:29 p.m. Police arrived at the scene at 12:20 p.m
New Orleans police are still investigating the incident and trying to determine why the wait time was so long WSDU.
Firefighters found one of the children dead in the center of the house and two others unconscious near the front door.
The two boys and a girl have now all been declared dead. Their mother was not at home when the fire broke out.
Washington — who court records show has a history of abuse allegations — owned the home, which was built by Habitat for Humanity.
The mother alleged in divorce filings that Washington repeatedly beat, choked and stalked her, and threatened to kill her and their three children. Ultimately, she had to file a restraining order.
Washington is accused of setting fire to the home where the children lived with Washington’s ex-wife, causing the eight-, five- and three-year-olds to die before leaving the scene
The suspected Dodge Charger he used to escape was found floating in the river near a terminal on Wednesday morning
Washington — who court records show has a history of abuse allegations — owned the home, which was built by Habitat for Humanity
The mother alleged in divorce filings that Washington repeatedly beat, choked and stalked her, and threatened to kill her and their three children. Ultimately, she had to file a restraining order
McDonnell, Washington’s father and grandfather of the three children, was angry and demanded that Washington face justice.
“If I catch him, I’ll kill him,” McDonnell said.
The children’s mother, who was at work at the time of the fire, is now in a hospital and on suicide watch, another family member said.