COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A 5-year-old boy who was badly hurt in a house fire that killed his infant sister had a “cut-type injury to his throat,” according to an affidavit released Wednesday.
Sixteen-month-old Ashia M. Joseph died in the fire Monday. The affidavit described her body as “charred.” The 5-year-old boy and three other children were in critical condition.
The children’s mother, Maria Darlene Joseph, who also uses the last name Gardner, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Investigators determined the fire was arson and started in the master bedroom, where all five children were injured, police spokesman Skip Arms said.
According to the affidavit, an unknown female called 911 to give the home’s address Monday but did not give details on what happened. Dispatchers heard an unidentified child say, “Why did you kill him?”
A child then said “oil” was on fire, everyone was hurt and a boy was dead, the affidavit said. The child on the phone and the boy were not identified.
The injured children, ranging from 3 to 9 years old, were still hospitalized Wednesday, Arms said. The 3-year-old girl and 9-year-old-boy were transferred to hospitals out of state, he said. The El Paso County Department of Human Services had custody of the children.
Maria Joseph was found a block away from the fire with what were described as superficial injuries to her wrists and neck. A doctor later found what appeared to be self-inflicted wounds to the arms and left ankle, the affidavit said.
Authorities said the children’s father, Simeon Joseph, shot and killed himself at the house in October.
