NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The man accused of setting fire to a New Orleans East home that killed his three children has entered a guilty plea on Thursday, April 11.
According to the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, Joseph Washington was originally arrested in October 2023 on three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and one count of aggravated arson.
Washington pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
An investigation of the incident revealed the New Orleans Police Department was called by the children’s mother, who alerted them that Joseph was threatening to burn down the house and that the children were inside.
The mother, who was not home at the time of the incident, reportedly called NOPD twice.
Data from the Orleans Parish Communication District shows police officers did not arrive until 12:20 a.m., 26 minutes after the mother’s first 911 call.
Once the flames were extinguished, firefighters with the New Orleans Fire Department found the bodies of a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy unresponsive inside near the door and a 3-year-old dead near the back of the house.
Further investigation led to the indictment of Shanyka Phillips, who was Washington’s girlfriend, according to the district attorney’s office.
Phillips faces charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and aggravated arson and is accused of helping Washington escape.
She currently faces a bond of $50,000 per count against her.
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