DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Beach Police Department is now investigating after a baby died in an overnight apartment fire and a mom was found dead with multiple stab wounds.
The Daytona Beach Fire Department was called out to the Countryside Apartment complex, at 1200 Beville Road, around 12 a.m., and they found heavy smoke.
Firefighters found three children, including a baby, and one adult inside the apartment. Fire officials said Tuesday that the adult was already deceased, and the baby was in cardiac arrest. The baby was taken to a nearby hospital and later died, they said.
The fire department originally reported the baby's age as 1 month old, but the police department later said the child was nearly 1 year old.
The two other children, ages 4 and 5, were taken to UF Health Shands Hospital. Their conditions have not been released.
According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, the mother was stabbed multiple times.
"Yes, this is a horrific incident. This is what we're dealing with this morning," Young said during a press conference Tuesday morning.
Officials have not yet released the names of the victims or any suspects in the case.
The State Fire Marshall is also investigating.
This sign has been placed outside the apartment where the fire happened “Officials Suspect this Fire was a Result of Arson.” Officials listed this toll free phone number 1-877-662-7766 for people to report any information. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/xKthsMf7Ip
— Massiel Leyva (@LeyvaMassiel) November 21, 2023
"Right now, State Fire Marshal is on scene. They have been investigating. They've found two points of origin of the fire, which makes it a little bit suspicious. So as of right now, DBPD is ruling it as a homicide," said Lt. Antwan Lewis, with the Daytona Beach Fire Department.