On the evening of January 19, 2023, a devastating incident unfolded within a Sartell, Minnesota, apartment building that claimed the life of 4-month-old Hazel Kaloni Clark. Emergency crews were dispatched to the residence on the 300 block of 11th Avenue East around 8 p.m. in response to a fire. Upon entering the apartment, they discovered the infant, Hazel, and her 24-year-old father, Caleb Allen Clark.
Hazel was found unresponsive and immediately received medical attention at the scene
before being rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead. Caleb Clark was also found deceased inside the apartment. Subsequent investigation by the Sartell Police Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office brought to light the grim circumstances of the event.
Authorities determined that the fire had been intentionally set within the Clark's apartment, with the majority of the damage contained to their unit. Further investigation led police to believe that Caleb Clark died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Hazel's death is being actively investigated as a homicide, with the entire incident being treated as a possible murder-suicide. At the time of the events, law enforcement assured the public that they did not believe there was any ongoing threat to the community. The father and daughter had only recently relocated to Sartell from Grand Forks, North Dakota. No other suspects have been named, and no arrests have been made in connection with this case.
