Mother accused in fire that kills son, 6

BELLEVILLE — A southwestern Illinois woman is accused of felony child endangerment related to an East St. Louis townhouse fire that killed her 6-year-old son.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that 32-year-old Maria Ware was charged Tuesday in St. Clair County. Prosecutors say she left Kenyartte Griffin Jr. home unattended with his 4-year-old brother when fire broke out there on Jan. 18.

Kenyartte died of smoke inhalation, although his younger brother survived, Ware also is charged with misdemeanor endangering the health of that child for allegedly leaving that boy unattended.

Kenyartte's father has said he believes Kenyartte may have accidentally started the blaze while playing with a cigarette lighter in an upstairs bedroom.

Ware doesn't have a listed home telephone number. It isn't clear if she has hired an attorney.