GREENSBORO, N.C. — A mother facing murder charges in the fire that killed three of her children received a $1 million bond during a court appearance on Tuesday.
Brandi Sturdivant, 29, faces three counts of second-degree murder. If convicted, she could face life in prison without parole.
The fire happened at Sturdivant's Grimsley Street home on Dec. 12, 2022.
Greensboro Police, Greensboro Fire, and Guilford County EMS all went to the scene. After the fire was put out, investigators found three children - all under the age of five - dead inside.
Sturdivant was already in jail on three counts of felony child abuse related to this case. Police said she confessed to keeping drugs in the house and leaving her children at home alone.
One neighbor remembers that night back in December all too well.
Allen Myers said, "I remember everything. I remember her screaming 'help me help me.' I was on the couch asleep. I got up to see what was wrong, walked outside over here. I started seeing the smoke coming out of the house. I saw the house on fire, and that's when she was like, 'my kids are in the house."
An autopsy found cocaine in the 4-year-old's system.
Investigators do not expect any other charges in this case.
The lead detective on this case said all facts were presented to the District Attorney Friday, and a decision was made to increase the charges.
The detective told news outlets that he hopes this new bond, and increased charges brings "closure to family and the children."
The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Sturdivant will be in court again on May 23.
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