NC - Four children die in North Carolina house fire, officials say no adults at the home, when inital call was made by two children who escaped.

[Knox]

Bonded out. Just dammit.
Who knows what good and wonderful things those children may have done in their lifetimes.

The loss is even more tragic because it may have been preventable had an adult been present. Beautiful little girls, it’s heartbreaking.

 

[airportwoman]

Thanks for the link. Anyone knkw what the huge circle is near the house on the satellite view of the map?

It appears to be a pond, most likely for irrigation.

 

[airportwoman]

Shaquille O'Neal, and local law enforcement agencies, will pay for the girls' funerals.

Legendary NBA player to pay funeral costs of 4 girls killed in North Carolina house fire

Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal is working with law enforcement after a deadly fire in Chadbourn killed 4 girls.

www.wbtv.com

It does appear that their father was in their lives. Were the parents divorced, or does anyone know?

 

[Knox]

Not sure if the search holds on my link. I was surprised by the number of cases on her record. In 2024 she had a traffic case for driving without a license, no seatbelt (driver), and the kids had no seatbelts/car seats. Not sure why she has no license, didn't dive that deep.

eCourts Portal

portal-nc.tylertech.cloud

 

[airportwoman]

And she was an RN! I wonder if she had other issues.

 

[borndem]

Shaquille O'Neal, and local law enforcement agencies, will pay for the girls' funerals.

Legendary NBA player to pay funeral costs of 4 girls killed in North Carolina house fire

Basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal is working with law enforcement after a deadly fire in Chadbourn killed 4 girls.

www.wbtv.com

It does appear that their father was in their lives. Were the parents divorced, or does anyone know?

 

[borndem]

My bold from above --
A big Thanks to Shaq and all those who will make this a bit easier to handle for those who loved these children.

 

[Eli9]

Mother of the four girls killed in house fire makes first court appearance

She was arrested on Sept. 10 and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse with serious bodily injury.

www.wect.com

During her appearance in court, the judge told Powers she faces a maximum of 59 months for each count of involuntary manslaughter and a maximum of 88 months for each count of child abuse.
..
Powers is expected back in court on Thursday, Sept. 25.

 

[Knox]

Mother of the four girls killed in house fire makes first court appearance

She was arrested on Sept. 10 and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse with serious bodily injury.

www.wect.com

During her appearance in court, the judge told Powers she faces a maximum of 59 months for each count of involuntary manslaughter and a maximum of 88 months for each count of child abuse.
..
Powers is expected back in court on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Doing the math, cumulatively she could face a maximum of 20 years on the involuntary manslaughter and 29 years on child abuse (four counts each charge).

Does it make sense that the abuse charge racks up more time than the involuntary manslaughter? I guess the involuntary portion speaks to intent and with the abuse it is intentional - so to speak?

Even if she gets a midrange sentence, she’s looking at over twenty years.

The quoted article says there is still no “official cause” on the fire. Guess it takes a while for the investigation to be completed.

 

[Inthedetails]

Doing the math, cumulatively she could face a maximum of 20 years on the involuntary manslaughter and 29 years on child abuse (four counts each charge).

Does it make sense that the abuse charge racks up more time than the involuntary manslaughter? I guess the involuntary portion speaks to intent and with the abuse it is intentional - so to speak?

Even if she gets a midrange sentence, she’s looking at over twenty years.

The quoted article says there is still no “official cause” on the fire. Guess it takes a while for the investigation to be completed.

I remain curious about how the fire started and where mom (and dad!) were. While the parents remain responsible, I do think there is a difference between going to work and leaving the kids and going out to party. Yes, the parent(s) would still be responsible for the children, of course, no matter the reason they were left alone. But I still want to know why the kids were alone at night without either parent or other adult.

jmopinion

 

[Knox]

Patrick Ellis, the father of the four children, released the following statement:

“As a father, there is no pain greater than losing a child, and losing four at once is a weight I would not wish on anyone. No parent should ever have to endure this type of tragedy. My daughters needed me, and they needed their mother too. I know without a doubt that my children loved their momma, and their momma loved them.

This moment has shown me, and I hope it shows others, how important co parenting and accountability are in the life of a child. Both parents are necessary. The presence, protection, and partnership of a father and mother working together can mean everything.

I do not want any other family to experience what mine is going through right now. My prayer is that this heartbreak becomes a reminder that we must build stronger families, stronger support systems, and stronger communities. If we can come together, not just in times of grief but in daily life, we can prevent tragedies like this and give our children the safe and loving futures they deserve.”

Celebration of Life service to be held for four children who died in house fire

The service will now take place at First Baptist Church in Fairmont.

www.wect.com

 

[Knox]

A shorter statement from the Father of the girls.

Father of the children who died in house fire releases statement

“Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss,” Ellis said.

www.wect.com

I’m unsure what the living circumstances were with the parents. But I did note an eviction case at the court link I posted in which there is no other named party but Mom. In her social media pages, there is not a single picture of the girls Father. Last, in her request for a public defender, she stated she is indigent with no source of income and no assets.

The Father’s statements and the above paint a picture, JMO.

 

[airportwoman]

Does anyone know if the 11-year-old girls who called the fire in were "theirs", and if maybe they were twins?

They could definitely tell us what happened.

 

[Eli9]

A shorter statement from the Father of the girls.

Father of the children who died in house fire releases statement

“Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss,” Ellis said.

www.wect.com

I’m unsure what the living circumstances were with the parents. But I did note an eviction case at the court link I posted in which there is no other named party but Mom. In her social media pages, there is not a single picture of the girls Father. Last, in her request for a public defender, she stated she is indigent with no source of income and no assets.

The Father’s statements and the above paint a picture, JMO.

Yet she bailed out the same day she was charged, if I have that right. Without going back to check, cause dinner is cooking, her bail was $400K. Maybe her family was of some help? I have no idea and don't have a problem with her requesting a public defender.

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Patrick Ellis, the father of the four children, released the following statement:

“As a father, there is no pain greater than losing a child, and losing four at once is a weight I would not wish on anyone. No parent should ever have to endure this type of tragedy. My daughters needed me, and they needed their mother too. I know without a doubt that my children loved their momma, and their momma loved them.

This moment has shown me, and I hope it shows others, how important co parenting and accountability are in the life of a child. Both parents are necessary. The presence, protection, and partnership of a father and mother working together can mean everything.

I do not want any other family to experience what mine is going through right now. My prayer is that this heartbreak becomes a reminder that we must build stronger families, stronger support systems, and stronger communities. If we can come together, not just in times of grief but in daily life, we can prevent tragedies like this and give our children the safe and loving futures they deserve.”

Celebration of Life service to be held for four children who died in house fire

The service will now take place at First Baptist Church in Fairmont.

www.wect.com

That’s really incredible of him

 

[Knox]

That’s really incredible of him

I thought so too, he definitely exhibited grace and took the high road.

 

[Knox]

Yet she bailed out the same day she was charged, if I have that right. Without going back to check, cause dinner is cooking, her bail was $400K. Maybe her family was of some help? I have no idea and don't have a problem with her requesting a public defender.

You are correct and good point about the $40k for the bail bond.

 

[OneLove]

I thought so too, he definitely exhibited grace and took the high road.

He is so very well spoken, which is very admirable especially in his trauma and grief. My heart goes out to him.

 

[ASipowicz]

Does anyone know if the 11-year-old girls who called the fire in were "theirs", and if maybe they were twins?

They could definitely tell us what happened.

The obit for the girls mentions one sibling, she has a different last name than that of her mother and her (half) sisters, I don't know if we can show the name here. Also RNP's last public Insta post (from Sept 2023) mentions her 5 children. I have so many questions about what really happened. I wonder why not much has been discussed ... for example were there any working smoke detectors in the building?

 

[Knox]

The obit for the girls mentions one sibling, she has a different last name than that of her mother and her (half) sisters, I don't know if we can show the name here. Also RNP's last public Insta post (from Sept 2023) mentions her 5 children. I have so many questions about what really happened. I wonder why not much has been discussed ... for example were there any working smoke detectors in the building?

The two eleven year olds, were Reagan’s oldest daughter and her friend who was staying the night. No twins involved.