The Death of 5 Children in a House Fire

In August 2021, Sabrina Dunigan, a 34-year-old mother of five, had her worst nightmare come true — a tragedy that no parent should ever have to face. Sabrina, who had been happily raising her five children, ranging from 2 to 9 years old, experienced the unimaginable loss of all her children in a devastating fire that took their lives in the blink of an eye.

On that fateful night, Sabrina left home at 3 a.m. to pick up her boyfriend from work. That night was also her birthday — a day that was supposed to be filled with joy and celebration. She left her children at home, with the understanding that her parents, who lived upstairs in another apartment of the same building, would help watch over them.

But tragedy struck when the children’s grandparents, who were supposed to keep watch, had fallen asleep. A fire broke out suddenly in the building, and the grandparents were forced to jump from a second-story window to escape the flames. They managed to survive, but they were unable to reach the children trapped inside.

By the time Sabrina and her boyfriend returned to the scene, the building was engulfed in flames. Sabrina’s heart sank as she realized that all five of her children — Loy-el Dunigan (2), Jabari Johnson (4), Heaven & Nevaeh Dunigan (twins, 6), and Deontae Davis (9) — were still inside the apartment. Sabrina, in a desperate attempt to save them, rushed into the burning building, but the fire was too intense. She was unable to reach her babies.

When the fire was finally extinguished, it was already too late. All five children had perished in the flames.

Sabrina was left heartbroken and devastated, forced to bury her beloved children — something no mother should ever have to endure. The pain of losing her five precious children was compounded when the police decided to charge Sabrina in connection with their deaths, blaming her for the tragedy. She had already lost everything that mattered most to her, and now, the system seemed poised to take away the last thing she had left — her own freedom.

This heartbreaking situation is a stark reminder of the unimaginable pain that can strike without warning, and the lasting toll that tragedy can have on a mother’s heart. Sabrina had lost her five babies in the most painful way possible, and yet, she was faced with the added burden of a legal system that sought to hold her accountable in a moment of devastating loss.

Rest in peace, sweet babies . Loy-el, Jabari, Heaven, Nevaeh, and Deontae will always be remembered, and the tragedy that took their lives should serve as a reminder of the preciousness of life, the fragility of time, and the need for compassion in the face of unimaginable loss.

Our hearts go out to Sabrina Dunigan and anyone who has suffered from such an unthinkable tragedy. The pain of losing a child is something no parent should ever face. May the memory of these children live on in the hearts of those who loved them.