NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Joseph Washington Sr, New Orleans father of the three children who died in a house fire overnight, was taken into custody on Wednesday, October 18, and is accused of second-degree murder and extreme cruelty to minors.
According to authorities, Washington Sr, 29, was taken into custody in New Orleans one day after the fire that claimed the lives of his three kids, aged 3, 5, and 8.
As per New Orleans Deputy Superintendent Ryan Lubrano, the father was captured on Wednesday after a manhunt and is accused of several crimes, including second-degree murder, which could change, as reported by ABC News.
How did the police capture Joseph Washington?
According to authorities, Washington has been named as the main suspect in the killings. Police reported that his car was discovered earlier on October 18 in Gretna, partly submerged in the Mississippi River.
After reportedly trying to escape by jumping over the overpass, he was eventually captured on the I-610 and moved to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for his injuries from the fall, said the police.
According to authorities, Washington Sr has been charged with one case of aggravated arson, three charges of second-degree murder, and three counts of second-degree abuse to a minor.
The mother informed 911 that Joseph Washington said 'he's about to burn the house'
According to police, the mother of the kids contacted 911 before midnight on Tuesday, October 17, claiming that their father intended to set fire to the house. The mother was not at home at the time, and the fire was reported shortly afterward.
According to 911 audio made available by the Orleans Parish Communications District, the mother said, "He’s going crazy. I'm at work. I'm trying to hurry up and go there right now."
The mother begged the cops to act quickly and informed the 911 operator that her ex-husband was yelling and "said he's about to burn the house."
The mother and children's identities remain undisclosed. The surveillance footage obtained by the local news stations shows a man can be seen exiting the property right before fires engulf most of the building.
According to authorities, first responders reported the residence completely destroyed by fire. Firefighters rescued a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy from the house, but they were declared dead an hour later at a hospital.
A 3-year-old boy's body was also found inside the house, and the child was pronounced dead on the spot.
Joseph Washington has a history of abusive behavior
According to city and court documents, 29-year-old Washington, the owner of the Habitat for Humanity home damaged in the fire, was found guilty of domestic abuse and battery at least twice in 2016.
Washington wed the mother of the children in 2014, and the two separated after around five years.
The mother of the children claimed in the divorce papers that Washington has a history of abusing her, hitting and strangling her, and attacking her while she was carrying the kids, as per NOLA.com.
Court filings show that she requested a restraining order against Washington in 2018, recounting an event in which he had tricked her into seeing him, only to threaten to kill her and the kids.
Internet says this wasn't the first time Joseph Washington 'threatened'
Cassie Schirm, award-winning journalist and investigative reporter for WDSU, took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the fact that it was not the first time Joseph has "threatened to kill the kids/his ex wife and burn the house down."
Schirm wrote on X: "The man Joseph Washington, who is suspected of burning the house and murdering three children early this morning will be charged with murder. This isn’t the first time he has threatened to kill the kids/his ex wife and burn the house down. In 2018 court documents it’s noted."
Schirm shared another post stating that the mother called 911 nine days before the police suspect Joseph set fire to the house, killing the three children, claiming he had threatened to murder her if she returned home.
Schirm tweeted: "9 days before @nopd believes the father Joseph Washington set fire to the home killing the the three kids, the mother called 911 saying Washington was threatening to kill her if she comes home. The dispatcher told the mother officers were on the way. Here is his history of abuse."
Leigha McNeil, award-winning journalist and reporter for WWL-TV, also took to X to share updates on Joseph.
McNeil wrote: "29 year old Joseph Washington is accused of selling the home on fire. Washington has been charged with 3 counts of second-degree murder, three counts of aggravated cruelty to a juvenile, and one account of aggravated arson."
