- Michigan mother accused of setting deadly house fire declared competent for trial
- 12-year-old daughter died from burns and smoke inhalation
- Court previously ruled the suspect incompetent twice
- Police allege she removed smoke detectors before igniting the fire
- Surviving daughter called a “hero” for saving siblings
- Suspect faces life imprisonment if convicted
A Michigan woman accused of intentionally setting her home on fire, killing her 12-year-old daughter, has been declared competent to stand trial after previously being ruled unfit twice.
Roconda Singleton, 46, of Grand Rapids, was deemed mentally competent on Tuesday, months after two earlier rulings in May and August found her unfit for trial, according to court records cited by MLive.com.
Kent County court officials said Singleton, who has a history of mental health issues, has been cooperating with treatment while in custody following the January blaze that claimed the life of her daughter, Shamiya Stewart.
An Oct. 16 psychiatric evaluation determined Singleton understands the charges against her, the court process, and potential legal consequences, WZZM reported.
“Based on the report that was issued, the court will find that the defendant is competent to stand trial,” the judge said in court, adding that Singleton will “continue to receive medication to maintain her competency.
Prosecutors allege Singleton deliberately removed all seven smoke detectors from her home, soaked the interior with lighter fluid, and set it on fire in what investigators described as a planned murder-suicide attempt. Police said she intended to kill herself and her three children.
“This is a mom that meticulously took all seven of her smoke detectors and put them in a bag and removed them from the house before she poured lighter fluid all over the house and lit it on fire in an attempt to kill her three children,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom told reporters. “I think she covered the couch in lighter fluid. That’s a pretty effective way to start a fire.”
The January 14 fire spread rapidly, drawing more than 40 firefighters from 13 units as flames tore through the home. Singleton’s 10-year-old daughter managed to escape and help rescue her two siblings before alerting first responders.
“I want to say that she should be locked up for life for killing my sister,” the surviving 10-year-old said in an interview with WOOD. “Everybody was trying to save my mom and she just wanted to lay down on her bed while her room was lighted up with fire. And she did not want to go but she finally came out. She wouldn’t tell where [Shamiya] was, so I had to keep leading them to my sister.”
Authorities later hailed the young girl as a “hero” for her quick actions that helped save lives amid the blaze. “We just thank God for her quick thinking,” said Patricia Robinson, a relative who organized a GoFundMe for the family.
Shamiya suffered burns on more than 30 percent of her body and severe smoke inhalation. She died two days later at a hospital. Her father, Lyn Stewart, described her as a “fighter.”
“She [didn’t] deserve this at all,” Stewart told WOOD. “She’s a good child. She’s my special baby. She was in the NICU (as a baby) for four months. It’s hard. … It’s hard for me. Just keep the family in prayer, please. That’s all I can say.”
Singleton faces charges of first-degree arson and three counts of second-degree child abuse. If convicted, she could be sentenced to life in prison.
“I want to know, why did she have to do that to her?” Singleton’s surviving daughter asked following her sister’s death.
