Latest: Michael Morgan faces arson charge in fire that killed a two-year-old girl

Michael Morgan



MILWAUKEE -- 26-year-old Michael Morgan of Milwaukee is now criminally charged with arson in connection with a homicide/arson that occurred near 36th and Silver Spring Drive early on Tuesday, October 20th.

A two-year-old child, Tae'najah Morgan, died following this arson fire, and 10-year-old Kevin Little was critically injured. Four other children and their grandmother escaped from the home.

According to the criminal complaint, fire investigators determined the origin of the fire was found in the first-floor living room of the home. The complaint indicates "a canine accelerant sniffing dog made several positive alerts for an ignitable liquid, consistent with gasoline" in the living room and a first-floor bedroom.

The complaint says "fire investigators discovered clean, broken glass from the south first floor living room window approximately 15 to 20 feet sound of the home, across the driveway. The broken glass is consistent with a gas vapor explosion having occurred."



Tae'najah Morgan



The complaint indicates Tae'najah Morgan and Kevin Little were "found in the upstairs room." When first responders found the two, the boy appeared "to be protecting Tae'najah by covering her with his body."

The person who called 911 to report the fire told investigators he called for help after Morgan approached him outside of a gas station. Morgan apparently asked to use the person's cell phone to report a fire on 36th and Silver Spring. The witness thought it was an odd request "because he did not smell any fire nor did he see any signs of fire nearby." Instead of giving up the phone, the person called 911, provided the address and then hung up. The complaint indicates at that point, Morgan "nodded his head and walked southbound on 35th St."

When police eventually caught up to Morgan, he "denied being in the area" of the arson.  If convicted, Morgan faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses for Tae'najah Morgan.