The tranquil morning air in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was shattered on Saturday, July 8, 2023, by the piercing screams of children trapped within their burning home. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident quickly transformed into a chilling tale of alleged betrayal and unimaginable cruelty, as investigators uncovered evidence pointing to the children’s own mother, 46-year-old Roconda Singleton, as the orchestrator of the inferno. Singleton is accused of deliberately setting fire to her home while her three daughters, aged 7, 10, and 12, slept inside, a horrifying act that ultimately claimed the life of her eldest daughter, 12-year-old Shamiya Stewart.
The details of the incident paint a grim picture of premeditated malice. Authorities allege that Singleton not only ignited the fire but also took calculated steps to hinder escape and ensure maximum devastation. Seven fire alarms were meticulously removed from the house prior to the blaze and were later discovered concealed within a pillowcase in the backyard. This deliberate disabling of the warning system eliminated a crucial lifeline for the sleeping children, trapping them in a rapidly escalating inferno. Further intensifying the horror of the allegations, Singleton is accused of using lighter fluid to accelerate the spread of the flames, adding to the intensity and speed of the conflagration.
Adding another layer of depravity to the alleged crime, Singleton is accused of remaining outside the burning home, observing the unfolding tragedy as her daughters screamed for help from within the inferno. Witnesses reported seeing her standing passively as flames engulfed the residence, seemingly indifferent to the desperate cries of her own children trapped inside. This chilling inaction further solidifies the image of a mother seemingly devoid of maternal instinct, choosing to watch her children suffer rather than intervene and attempt to save them. While her two younger daughters miraculously survived, thanks in part to the heroic efforts of the 10-year-old, who helped her younger sister escape, Shamiya was tragically unable to make it out in time.
Shamiya Stewart, a vibrant young girl on the cusp of her teenage years, succumbed to her injuries on Monday, July 10, after two agonizing days in intensive care. Her untimely death, a direct result of her mother’s alleged actions, has left the community reeling in shock and grief. The unthinkable nature of the crime – a mother allegedly setting fire to her own home with her children inside – has shaken Grand Rapids to its core, prompting an outpouring of grief and support for the surviving sisters and the extended family. Shamiya’s loss is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children and the profound consequences of parental betrayal.
The investigation into this horrific incident has been swift and decisive. Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom addressed the media in a press conference on Monday, expressing his disbelief and horror at the “shockingly cruel, unimaginable crime committed by a mom against her three kids.” He candidly admitted his inability to comprehend a motive for such an act, highlighting the bewildering and inexplicable nature of the alleged crime. Singleton, during questioning by authorities, allegedly confessed to the arson, reportedly stating, “I did it. I am not going to sit here and play like I am the victim.” This apparent admission of guilt, coupled with the physical evidence gathered at the scene, paints a compelling picture of culpability.
The legal proceedings against Roconda Singleton are currently underway. She appeared in court on Tuesday, July 11, facing initial charges of arson and child abuse. However, authorities have indicated that additional charges, including murder, are anticipated as the investigation progresses.Despite allegedly confessing to the crime initially, she entered a plea of not guilty during her court appearance. The surviving daughters are now left to grapple with the unimaginable trauma of losing their sister and the devastating realization that their own mother is allegedly responsible. The 10-year-old daughter, hailed as a hero for helping her younger sister escape the flames, has bravely spoken out, demanding justice for her lost sister. In an interview with WOOD TV, she expressed her desire for her mother to be “locked up for life” and questioned her mother’s inexplicable actions, asking, “Why did she have to do that to her? She didn’t deserve that.” The road to recovery for these young girls will undoubtedly be long and arduous, marked by the profound scars of loss and betrayal.
