Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A woman has been indicted in connection to the fatal house fire in New Orleans East that left three children dead in 2023. She’s the second person to be indicted in case, with the first being the children’s father.
A woman called 911 around 12 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, reporting that her children’s father, who was also her estranged husband, had intentions of burning the house down. She said she wasn’t home but was rushing to leave work.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found 5-year-old Jayla Washington and 8-year-old Joseph Washington unresponsive a few feet from the door. 3-year-old Avery Washington was found deceased near the center of the home. The two surviving children were taken to a hospital, but both later died.
The New Orleans Police Department reported the children’s father, Joseph Washington, was identified as the suspect. He was later apprehended on Interstate 610 East at the Elysian Fields Avenue exit after he allegedly attempted to flee by jumping off the overpass.
He was booked on three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and one count of aggravated arson.
Earlier this month, Washington was indicted on the three murder charges. But before he can go to trial, the New Orleans Clerk of Criminal Court confirmed that a judge ordered he undergo a mental evaluation first.
On Thursday, March 14, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced that another person, Shanyka Phillips, has been indicted in the case. According to Williams, Phillips was Washington’s girlfriend.
Her indictment includes charges of accessory after the fact to first degree murder and aggravated arson. She’s accused of helping Washington escape and obstructing the investigation.
Watch Williams’ full conference:
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