Funeral Services Held For 3 Children Killed In House Fire, Moms Still Jailed

November 11, 2011

Funeral services were held Thursday for the three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week as their mothers sat behind bars charged with their murders.

The children, 3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman, were laid to rest following services at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Atmore.

Meanwhile, their 18-year old mothers, twin sisters Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, remained in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, each charged with three counts of reckless murder.

“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to a press release from Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy. The children perished in a November 2 fire on 1st Street in Atmore while they were left home a alone.

The Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office said the fire was apparently caused from leaving a stove unattended. They also found that a mattress was blocking the front door of the home.

Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.

Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.

For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire, click here and click here.

Pictured above and below: Funeral services were held Thursday at the  New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church for the three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week. Photos courtesy Will Kennedy, WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

12 Responses to “Funeral Services Held For 3 Children Killed In House Fire, Moms Still Jailed”

  1. Tmarie on November 15th, 2011 4:16 pm

    Do you really think these mothers are hurting? Do you really think they now give a damn about their babies? Do you really think this was the first time they have neglected their babies? They didn’t give a damn when they left to go where ever it was. Hell no they should not attend the funeral. AND this was not an accident. Look up the definition of accident, please!!!!! AND stop with all the gospel verses. Think about those babies wanting to see their mommies when they were choking, trying to breathe, crying, screaming, scared, taking their last breaths! Where was those so-called mothers? Geezzz!!!

  2. vicki on November 15th, 2011 9:13 am

    I’m sorry, although they acted irresponsibly, it wasn’t intentional and they should’ve been permitted to attend the funeral !

  3. Gwenn on November 13th, 2011 9:21 pm

    God has three new little angles in Heaven. The lack of closure for the moms must be overwhelming. The lack of understanding why these children were left unprotected is also overwhelming…..

  4. Layla on November 13th, 2011 1:08 pm

    They were not allowed to attend the funeral because Alabama law actually doesn’t allow someone to leave the jailhouse without being bonded out..go figure. They were going to be allowed to leave to attend their childrens funeral but would have had to pay,out of pocket, the expense for the LEO escorts needed.

    I am guessing they didn’t have the funds to pay for that and no one else stepped forward too, on their behalf.

  5. emjay on November 12th, 2011 11:48 am

    I partly agree with them not being at the funeral. I don’t think they’d deserve the sympathy and attention from other attendees, as if rewarding them for such grave intentional actions. Their actions were intentional and not a mistake as in “oops, I flew out the door and almost forgot my baby in the house/car”–it was deliberately leaving them alone. I also think not allowing them at the funeral may have been for their own protection, and/or simply easier logistically.

    On the other hand, maybe they should have attended the funeral to see how many people in the community did care for those babies. And a compassionate part of me thinks they should have been allowed closure if, at some point, they will be remorseful (which I don’t believe will happen soon).

  6. JS on November 12th, 2011 6:36 am

    no the moms did not get to attend..not sure why but they remained in jail.

  7. tomtom44 on November 11th, 2011 7:21 pm

    I do not worry about where the babys are. they are in heaven with our JESUS and the family knows this but this does not take the pain away from there lost of the babys I prey that our GOD will be there with them. threw this hard time May God bless you and keep you

  8. not one stone be throwed for we have all sinned on November 11th, 2011 6:24 pm

    I believe the mothers of these children should have been allowed to attend their funerals, yes they knew better and it has costed 3 young lives as well as 2 moms without their kids, they have to live with this forever and will pay dearly for it but this was an accident because of non responsible young teenage parents ! For heavens sake, we all will face God one day so lets let him be the judge along with the judge with also serve those kids justice here on earth but this was not done on purpose so I have to disagree with not letting the mothers attend their childrens funeral, they should have at least taken them up there while nobody else was there, Im sure there will be ugly comments because of what i have said but oh well. I will not comment again to whatever ugliness someone has to say because thats childish but I think this is SO SAD!

  9. meemee on November 11th, 2011 1:49 pm

    we all failed some one said this wasnt the first time they was left home alone why didnt you report this if you knew they was alone lets pray for the babies they are in a better place believe this….

  10. for justice on November 11th, 2011 11:27 am

    The “moms” should have no right to be at the funeral.

  11. hummmmm on November 11th, 2011 10:32 am

    did the moms get to go to the funeral?

  12. uh?? on November 11th, 2011 8:32 am

    RIP babies its a shame that ur lives ended so quick..ur in a much better place.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News