The NOPD has made an arrest in the homicide of three children in a house fire.

According to investigators, around 11:55 p.m. last night (October 17, 2023), a woman called 911 to report that the father of the children was threatening to burn down their home.

Moments later, a fire was reported at the residence in the 4900 block of America Street in the Seventh District. NOFD arrived on scene at 12:14 a.m. NOPD units were then dispatched and arrived on scene at 12:20 a.m. finding the home engulfed in flames.

NOFD rescued an 8-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, who were transported to the hospital but were pronounced deceased about an hour later.  A third child, a 3-year-old, was then discovered deceased inside the home.

The children’s mother was not home at the time of the fire. Investigators determined this incident was the result of an apparent domestic dispute.

NOPD’s Child Abuse Unit began investigating and identified the children’s father, Joseph Washington, Sr. (DOB: 10-31-1993) as the prime suspect and a BOLO was issued for his vehicle.

Earlier today, (October 18, 2023), the Gretna Police Department notified NOPD that the suspect’s vehicle was found in the Mississippi River, partially submerged in the city of Gretna. The suspect was not in the vehicle.

Later in the day, the NOPD’s Violent Offender Warrant Squad and U.S. Marshals received intelligence on the location of the suspect and that he was in another vehicle.

Washington was apprehended on the I-610 Eastbound at the Elysian Fields exit, when the vehicle he was in stopped and he attempted to flee by jumping off the overpass.

Washington was taken to a local hospital for treatment of potential injuries, which are unknown at this time.

He has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and one count of aggravated arson.

The cause of death of the children will be determined by the coroner.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The NOPD's Child Abuse unit is actively investigating.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Child Abuse at (504) 658-5267 or Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.