DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A horrific scene unfolded in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the early hours of Tuesday. Firefighters, responding to a fire at an apartment, discovered a woman who had been stabbed to death. Additionally, three children were rescued from the burning apartment and rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Tragically, the youngest child, an infant, did not survive.
Details regarding the infant’s cause of death and the present condition of the two surviving children, aged 4 and 5, have not been released by the authorities. The incident has deeply affected the community, especially given its timing just two days before a holiday traditionally spent with family.
The identity of the deceased woman believed to be the mother of the children, has been withheld pending ongoing investigations. The police are treating the incident as a homicide and are investigating the possibility of arson in the fire. As of now, no suspects have been named. The fire began around midnight at the Countryside Apartments, with the infant found in a crib close to the deceased woman.
Local reports from WKMG in Orlando indicate that state investigators are considering the possibility of intentional arson. A police officer was also treated for smoke inhalation following the incident. Police Chief Jakari Young commended the first responders, stating that their prompt actions likely saved more lives from being lost.