Arson leads to death of 4 children In the small town of Flora, Indiana, a devastating fire in the early morning hours of November 21, 2016, claimed the lives of four young sisters, including 5-year-old Kionnie Welch. Kionnie, a shy and quiet girl who loved cheerleading and cuddling with her mother, perished in the blaze at her family's home on East Columbia Street.
Born on January 10, 2011, in Jefferson City, Missouri, Kionnie was described as 'momma's baby' and was known to be a homebody who was deeply attached to her
mother, Gaylin Rose. The fire, which was intentionally set, also killed Kionnie's sisters: Keyana Davis, 11; Keyara Phillips, 9; and Kerriele McDonald, 7. Their mother, Gaylin Rose, survived the fire with non-life-threatening injuries.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, investigators quickly determined that the cause of the fire was arson, turning the case into a criminal investigation. The Indiana State Police took the lead in the investigation, assisted by local law enforcement. Despite the efforts of investigators and a standing reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, the case remains unsolved.
Years have passed since the fire, and the Flora community continues to mourn the loss of the four bright and promising young girls. The lot where their home once stood is now empty, but the memory of Kionnie and her sisters endures. The family and community still await answers and justice for the four young lives that were so tragically cut short. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named in the ongoing investigation.
