Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz issued the following release Wednesday:
Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz announced today that charges have been filed against a local mother following a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of her three young children.
Danozjna Williams has been charged with Third Degree Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Endangering Welfare of Children, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
On Sunday, March 29, 2026, members of the City of Erie Fire Department and City of Erie Police Department were dispatched to 535 ½ East 26th St., #2, upstairs, for a structure fire.
Upon entering the second-floor apartment through the south side door, the firefighters located three children in a bedroom at the north end of the apartment: T.B. (dob 7/24/20); D.H. (dob 9/1/22) and A.A-M (dob 10/24/25). No adults were in the residence at the time.
T.B. and D.H. were transported to UPMC Hamot and subsequently pronounced deceased. Five-month-old A.A-M was life flighted to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for advanced medical treatment. She later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on April 3, 2026, at 5: 10 p.m., due to cardiac arrest following inhalation injury.
Erie Police Detective James Langdon and Detective Sergeant Dave Madurski commenced an investigation, which revealed Williams left her children without supervision for an extended period to facilitate a drug transaction. The fire broke out while Williams was away from the home, and the children were trapped inside, alone.
“This is a heartbreaking, but completely preventable tragedy,” said District Attorney Hirz. “The evidence shows these young children were left without supervision in a situation where they needed their mother to protect them and keep them safe. That duty was abandoned, with devastating consequences.”
DA Hirz also expressed gratitude to the first responders, stating: “We want to commend the courage and professionalism of our firefighters and law enforcement officers. They responded swiftly, battled dangerous conditions, and faced the
unimaginable task of recovering these young victims. We are incredibly grateful for their service to our community”
The investigation remains ongoing. As with all criminal cases, charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
