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Allegheny County DA approves manslaughter charges in fire deaths of twin boys
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Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. has approved involuntary manslaughter charges against the mother of 3-year-old twin boys who died in a North Braddock house fire earlier this month.
Mr. Zappala said today Dalawna Beran-Lett left her children alone for 52 minutes on Jan. 4 and during that time the boys turned on the sole working burner of a grease-encrusted stove.
The grease caught fire over a 15-minute period and the blaze spread and engulfed the house on Rebecca Avenue in another 15 minutes, Mr. Zappala said.
"They never stood a chance," he said of Ky'heir and Dy'heir Arthur.
Police intend to arrest Ms. Beran-Lett following her children's funeral services and burial Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Homewood.
Mr. Zappala said Ms. Beran-Lett left her house to find her teenage daughter who she believed stole a baggie of marijuana from her purse.
First Published January 18, 2013 4:28 pm
