Vigil held for mother and infant son who were killed in house fire

Family and friends gathered Saturday night in the 1300 block of Tampa Avenue, near South Paul Laurence Dunbar Street, to remember the lives of a mother and her infant son.

Charonda Childs, 23, and Cassius Childs-Hunt, 7 months, were killed in a house fire that occurred in the early morning of Sep. 13.

Officials say they believe the fire started in the kitchen, but the official cause is still under investigation.

ShaNiec Childs, Charonda Child’s sister, said she was a great mother.

“Charonda’s a very free spirit and we figured baby Cassius would be too, she just lived her life, she lived life to the fullest,” she said.

Nakea Davis, Child’s best friend, said she always talked about her son.

“She’s very sweet. Free spirit, she’s wild, she was my ride or die,” she said.

Childs said she is grateful for the support from the community.

“My family we’re all just very grateful to see everybody come out and it’s nice to just see everybody support,” she said.

“She’s happy right now and I’m glad that she’s at peace, her and baby Cassius are at peace,” she continued.

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