I cannot think of anything more heinous than killing your own child. Lisa Louise Greene, a 40 year old woman from North Carolina is accused of killing her own children by setting fire to the family mobile home.According to this January 17th article in The Charlotte Observer, Greene told investigators that she told the children to “stay in their room” as she ran out of the house unharmed. A neighbor dialed 911 and two minutes later, Greene called 911 herself. Greene stated that she was sleeping in a recliner when she was awakened by the smoke detectors. She claimed the fire was too hot for her to rescue her children and then she twisted her ankle trying to get out of the house.
At first it seemed like a local tragedy where two children were killed in a house fire... until the Mother of the children was arrested- accused of setting the fire that killed her 8 year old daughter Addison Macemore, and her son, 10 year old Daniel Macemore.News 14 Carolina reported Lisa Louise Greene was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson. She was also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police have said the children were alive when the fire was set and Ms. Greene’s inconsistent statements led them to suspect her of setting the fire.
A Charlotte Observer article gave more insight into why they suspected the Mother:
"The search warrant, released Monday at the Observer's request, details some of the inconsistencies that Cabarrus County Sheriff Brad Riley said led to Greene's arrest.
Greene first told firefighters she saw fire only inside the children's room. But there was no evidence of burning or charring inside the room, according to the search warrant.
"The origin of the fire was outside the room occupied by the children," the warrant says.
Talking with a 911 dispatcher as the house burned, Greene also said the door to the children's room was closed. She later said Addison was on the bed and Daniel was on the floor. She said they had been watching a movie and had a lit candle in their room.
Greene also told investigators the fire was so severe she couldn't help the children.
But the search warrant says, "The fire could not have reached the level of severity claimed by Ms. Greene at that time, considering the timeframe and the actual damage to the dwelling."
It's not clear whether the children tried to escape even after Greene told them "to stay on the bed."
Firefighters said no one broke the windows in the children's bedroom before fire crews arrived. Riley couldn't say whether the windows worked the way they were supposed to. He also declined to comment on whether the children's bedroom door was closed during the fire and whether it worked properly.
Detectives sought the search warrant to look for propane, gas, kerosene or diesel fuel -- substances that could be used to ignite a fire -- as well as blood and DNA. They also were seeking burned or charred paper, plastics or other objects; unburned furnishings; paperwork; and matches, lighters, candles or other items that could be used to light a fire.
They seized three doorknobs, a candle and candlestick, two sections of drywall and a computer, according to the search warrant inventory.
Other items seized included a fire safe with assorted papers, jewelry and money; photographs; a door casing; sunglasses; a candy wrapper; handkerchiefs; and containers of assorted medications.
During the initial investigation, detectives found a plate with marijuana leaves and three smoking pipes in the modest, one-story house at 10925 Candilara Lane. Detectives have no evidence that Greene was impaired at the time of the fire, Riley said. In court today, Greene is expected to acknowledge the charges and be offered a court-appointed attorney.
This is what she told authorities at the time of the fire:
-She had been sleeping in a recliner in the living room and awoke to a blaring smoke detector. -She tried to help the children, but the fire was too hot.
-She couldn't get to the working phone inside, so she grabbed her purse, which contained her cell phone, and ran out.
-A few feet outside, she fell, twisting her ankle, dropping the purse and spilling its contents. A neighbor found Greene screaming on the ground and called 911, investigators said. "
-She had been sleeping in a recliner in the living room and awoke to a blaring smoke detector. -She tried to help the children, but the fire was too hot.
-She couldn't get to the working phone inside, so she grabbed her purse, which contained her cell phone, and ran out.
-A few feet outside, she fell, twisting her ankle, dropping the purse and spilling its contents. A neighbor found Greene screaming on the ground and called 911, investigators said. "
