In a tragic incident in Raleigh, North Carolina, two children lost their lives in a grease fire that authorities say was caused by negligence. The children’s mother, Rodreika Porter, 34, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect after details of the fire’s circumstances were revealed.
The Fire and Tragic Loss
The fire occurred early in the morning on September 29, 2024, at a home on Cantwell Court in Raleigh. Firefighters and police responded to reports of a house fire around 6 a.m. Tragically, a 1-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were found inside the home and later pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
The Mother’s Actions Leading Up to the Fire
Authorities say that Rodreika Porter was not home at the time of the fire. According to court records, a witness told police that Porter was “up the block getting high” during the fire.
While Porter denied using drugs or alcohol at the scene, a social worker later reported that Porter tested positive for fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana, and may have also been under the influence of alcohol.
Despite Porter’s absence during the fire, police believe that she caused it. A search warrant revealed that Porter had been heating a pan of oil to cook pork chops but had fallen asleep with the stove left on. The heat from the pan ignited the oil, starting the fire.
The exact timeline is unclear, as the warrant also states that Porter was reportedly awakened by the smoke from the fire, leading to confusion about her whereabouts at the time.
The Aftermath and the Neighbors’ Accounts
Once the fire began, Porter is said to have grabbed her children and rushed outside, knocking on neighbors’ doors and screaming for help. Neighbors recalled hearing loud banging and screams in the middle of the night. One neighbor shared a chilling account of seeing Porter come around the corner holding her lifeless children.
“The dead of night – we just hear banging, banging, banging, banging, banging, banging and screaming. We wake up, we come outside, she comes around the corner, and the woman is just holding her children. They’re lifeless,” the neighbor told WRAL.
The Charges Against Rodreika Porter
Rodreika Porter has been charged with two counts of felony child neglect inflicting serious bodily injury. These charges stem from the negligence that led to the deaths of her two children, as well as her possible impairment due to drugs and alcohol at the time of the fire.
Authorities argue that her actions, including leaving the stove on while under the influence and being absent from the home during the fire, directly contributed to the tragic outcome.
This devastating case highlights the dangers of negligence and substance abuse, particularly when children are involved. Rodreika Porter’s failure to ensure a safe environment for her children ultimately led to the loss of their young lives.
As Porter faces serious charges, the case serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of neglect and the importance of keeping children safe from harm.
