Thursday 2 May 2013

FILICIDE (multiple): South Carolina: Hope Hawkins charged with 4 homicides


Four children discovered hugging each other as they were burned to death in mobile home fire. Mother charged with homicide

  • Hope Hawkins charged with unlawful neglect and homicide by child abuse
  • Four-year-old and two-year-old sons died and twin girls aged 10 months
  • Hawkins said she tried to save them, but sheriff says that does not add up
  • The funeral was held in South Carolina today
PUBLISHED: 09:02 GMT, 2 May 2013 | UPDATED: 18:40 GMT, 2 May 2013
    The funeral of four young children who died holding each other in a cupboard as their mobile home burned down around them was held today in Hartsville, South Carolina. 
Their mother Hope Kaneshia Hawkins, 21, has been charged with homicide by child abuse after the siblings were found allegedly home alone, where they died of smoke inhalation. 
She was arrested last Thursday night after the deaths of four-year-old Delonta Dixon, two-year-old Camaron Mason, and twin 10-month-old girls My'asia and Ky'nasia Hawkins.
The children's aunt Janice Hawkins said that 'they were loved by all' in the neighbourhood
'Loving': Camaron Hawkins, centre, and his twin sisters My'asia and Ky'nasia Hawkins. The children's aunt Janice Hawkins said that 'they were loved by all' in the neighbourhood
Four-year-old Delonta Dixon, right, and two-year-old Camaron Mason
Tragic deaths: Four-year-old Delonta Dixon, right, and two-year-old Camaron Mason
Hope Hawkins, 21, had allegedly left the children unattended when the deadly fire broke out
Charged: Hope Hawkins, 21, had allegedly left the children unattended when the deadly fire broke out
When the firefighters reached the scene last Wednesday at 1:57 pm Hope Hawkins was in the front yard outside.They arrived to find over half the mobile home on fire. 
Captain Andy Locklair, spokesman for the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office explained: 'She said she was at home when the fire started and that she had tried to get the children out.

But no one was there. When all the fire apparatus started arriving, I think she arrived then.'

The fire is believed to be accidental and started in the kitchen. Rather than escape, it seemed the frightened children tried to protect themselves in the cupboard.
Brothers Delonta Dixon and Camaron Mason at the funeral in Hartsville on Wednesday
Young deaths: Brothers Delonta Dixon and Camaron Mason at their funeral in Hartsville on Wednesday
Cousins of the siblings served as pall bearers for Delonta Dixon, Camaron Mason, Ky'Nasia Hawkins and My'Asia Hawkins
Town in mourning: Cousins of the siblings served as pall bearers for Delonta Dixon, Camaron Mason, Ky'Nasia Hawkins and My'Asia Hawkins
Family members leaving the church, the children's aunt Janice Hawkins said 'they were just so loving'
Heartbroken: Family members leaving the church today, the children's aunt Janice Hawkins said 'they were just so loving'
'The one thing they teach firefighters is that kids hide in a fire,' Mayor Mel Pennington, also a volunteer firefighter, said.
'They were just so loving and caring and the whole neighborhood know them and they're loved by all,' their aunt Janice Hawkins told ABC KTRE.
The town held a candlelit vigil for the children on Friday night and their funeral service took place on Wednesday, with their young cousins as pallbearers.
The mayor said that the children's deaths had deeply moved him personally: 'First, being a father before I am a mayor, I extend the condolences of our city to the family that is struggling to deal with this tragic loss.'
It is believed the mobile home fire was started accidentally in the kitchen
Burnt out: It is believed the mobile home fire was started accidentally in the kitchen


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2318158/Mother-children-dead-hugging-mobile-home-burned-charged-homicide.html#ixzz2SAFrDSpG
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