DETROIT (WXYZ) — Twenty-four-year-old Dmarco Latham was arraigned Friday on two counts of Felony Murder, 3 counts of First Degree Arson, and 2 counts of Arson for a fatal apartment fire on Detroit’s west side Tuesday.
The fire killed 2-year-old Mylah Joyner and her mother, 31-year-old Star Milligan.
“When I got home, all I saw was the police everywhere. Neighbors outside,” said Richard Joyner, Mylah’s father and Star’s husband.
Latham, according to prosecutors, started the fire because of ongoing issues with the mother of his children, who lives in the apartment building on Brace Street. The woman wasn’t home at the time the fire started.
Detroit’s Deputy Fire Commissioner said the fire started in the unit directly below the victims'. Family tells 7 Action News Milligan was deaf, and likely didn't hear neighbors knocking on her door.
In addition to killing two, the fire injured two others, including Milligan’s 7-year-old son Makell, who was released from the hospital Thursday.
Several families were also displaced by the fire.
Latham will remain in custody. He’s scheduled to appear next in court Oct. 25.
If convicted on the most serious charges, Latham could spend life behind bars.
