Michigan Mom Accused of Setting Fire That Killed 12-Year-Old Daughter

Michigan mother charged with murder after allegedly setting her home on fire, resulting in her daughter's tragic death, faces public outrage.

A Michigan mother is facing serious charges after allegedly setting her home on fire with her three children inside, resulting in the tragic death of her 12-year-old daughter. Authorities have called the act “shockingly cruel” and “unimaginable.”

Roconda Singleton, 46, is accused of deliberately removing all seven smoke detectors from her home before dousing it with lighter fluid and igniting the fire on Saturday, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Officials revealed these chilling details during a press conference on Monday.

“I want to say that she should be locked up for life for killing my sister,” Singleton’s 10-year-old daughter, who survived the fire, told NBC affiliate WOOD. Her older sister, 12-year-old Shamiya Singleton, died from severe burns and smoke inhalation.

According to the young survivor, her mother refused to leave the burning house at first. "Everybody was trying to save my mom, and she just wanted to lay down on her bed while her room was lit up with fire," she recalled. "She wouldn’t tell where [Shamiya] was, so I had to keep leading them to my sister."

Intentional Act of Arson

Singleton is now charged with first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. Investigators say she intentionally set the fire early Saturday morning. The Grand Rapids Fire Department responded with more than 40 firefighters from 13 different units as flames spread rapidly through the home.

Authorities later discovered a bag containing the removed smoke detectors in Singleton’s backyard. “This is a mother who meticulously took all seven of her smoke detectors, put them in a bag, and removed them from the house before pouring lighter fluid all over and setting it on fire—trying to kill her three children,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom stated.

Winstrom also pointed out that Singleton appeared to have specifically targeted the couch as the starting point. "I think she covered the couch in lighter fluid," he said. "That’s a pretty effective way to start a fire."

A 10-Year-Old Hero

Amid the tragedy, Singleton’s 10-year-old daughter was hailed as a hero for helping her younger sibling escape and directing firefighters to Shamiya’s location inside the burning home.

“We just thank God for her quick thinking,” said Patricia Robinson, a cousin who has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the grieving family.

Despite rescue efforts, Shamiya suffered burns covering 30% of her body, as well as severe smoke inhalation. She passed away on Monday night.

Her devastated father, Lyn Stewart, described her as a fighter. “She didn’t deserve this at all,” he told WOOD. “She was a good child. She was my special baby. She was in the NICU for four months as a newborn. It’s hard. … It’s really hard for me. Just keep our family in your prayers, please.”

Following Shamiya’s death, Singleton’s surviving daughter voiced the heartbreaking question: “I want to know—why did she have to do that to her?”

Singleton now faces life in prison if convicted.