TRUMANN, Ark. (AP) - A teenager has been arrested in connection with a fire that killed a Trumann toddler in January.
KAIT-TV reports that police sought an arrest warrant after the 17-year-old failed to come in for an interview regarding the Jan. 27 fire that killed 13-month-old Blake Pierce. The teen was taken into custody Friday on a negligent homicide complaint and was being held in Washington County.
Authorities say Blake Pierce died of smoke inhalation when a mattress caught fire in a bedroom of the duplex. His brothers, Drake and Robert, also suffered smoke inhalation but they survived.
Trumann Police Chief Chad Henson said drug paraphernalia was found inside the residence, and some have stated that drug use was going on.
The teen's name isn't being released because of his age.
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