Girl, 17, denies charge in fatal fire

Associated Press

TOLEDO

A 17-year-old girl has appeared in court to face charges in a northwest Ohio house fire that killed a 14-year-old boy and seriously injured his 13-year-old stepbrother.

The girl’s attorney denied the aggravated murder charge against the teen during a hearing Thursday.

A police department spokesman tells The Blade that investigators believe the suspect had a personal problem with one of the victim’s family members.

The May 2 fire on the city’s east side swept through the home that didn’t have smoke detectors.

The suspect’s father tells WTOL-TV that other relatives say the girl was at her own home the night the fire occurred. He says his daughter told him she has nothing to hide.