Case Update: Orgal Paulette Opata has been charged with the following crimes in connection to the fire which caused the deaths of two of her young children:* Four Counts G.S. 14-318 Exposing a Child to Fire
* Three Counts G.S. 14-318.4 (a) (4) Reckless/Gross Felony Child Abuse
* Two Counts of Murder
* One Count G.S. 14-69.3 Burning Resulting in Serious Injury to a Fire Fighter
Ms. Opata remains in the custody of the CMPD and will be transported to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. This is Opata's second arrest on child neglect charges.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Unit Detectives are assisting the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force with an investigation into an early morning fire which resulted in the deaths of two young brothers. The two boys have been identified as 2-year old Josiah Hawthorne and 1-year old Gabriel Hawthorne. The call for service came in at 6:06 a.m., on Sunday, February 28, 2010.
This investigation is in its early stages. At this point, we can confirm that the two youngsters who passed away were left alone inside their home along with two older siblings, a 4-year old boy and a 7-year old girl, who both made it out alive with the assistance of a neighbor. Detectives are currently conducting interviews to determine who was responsible for leaving the children unattended. At this preliminary stage it appears that this fire was accidental in nature and not intentionally set.
Crime Scene Search responded to the scene to photograph it and collect physical evidence. The Fire Investigations Division, Homicide Unit and the Special Victims Unit responded to the scene to aid in the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective. Detective H. McSwain with the Homicide Unit and Detective R. Klass with the Charlotte Fire Investigation Task Force are the lead detectives assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.