NORTHGLENN — A 27-year-old man who police say barricaded his children inside a home in February then set it on fire died Wednesday of injuries suffered in the fire.
William Johnson’s two children — 18-month-old Cody and 5-year-old Kaitlyn — were seriously injured in the Feb. 23 fire in the 11000 block of York Street. Kaitlyn is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. Relatives said she had burns over 50 percent of her body. Cody has been released.
Rosie Jungst-Johnson, Johnson’s estranged wife, had filed for divorce in January and was not living with her husband.
Johnson was accused of severely beating her outside their Northglenn home before barricading the doors with furniture and setting the house on fire.
Two police officers broke through the front door but were turned back by smoke and flames. They were treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters found Johnson and two children in separate upstairs bedrooms. One dog was injured, and a dog and cat died.
In March, 17th Judicial District Attorney Bill Quick charged Johnson with attempted murder, child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, arson, assault, criminal mischief and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Two funds have been set up for the children. Contributions may be made to the Little Heroes Fund, at any Wells Fargo branch, or the Rosie Johnson Fund, at any 1stBank branch.
