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 7-year-old Kerriele McDonald. The girls, Keyana Davis, 11, Keyara Phillips, 9, Kerriele McDonald, 7, and Kionnie Welch, 5, were asleep in their home when the blaze erupted. Their mother, Gaylin Rose, was injured in the fire but survived.
Investigators quickly determined that the fire was not an accident, but a deliberate act of arson.
Despite the tragic loss of four young lives, the case has remained unsolved for years, leaving the community and the family searching for answers. The investigation has been ongoing since 2016, with the Indiana State Police leading the efforts, assisted by local law enforcement. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fire.
Over the years, the investigation has faced challenges and public scrutiny. In 2023, the Indiana State Police publicly stated that Gaylin Rose, the mother of the four girls, is not a suspect in the case, dispelling rumors that had circulated within the community. As of July 2025, there have been no arrests made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the arson.
In a renewed push to solve the cold case, the FBI joined the investigation in July 2025, bringing fresh eyes and resources to the effort. Federal agents began re-interviewing residents in Flora, hoping to uncover new leads or information that could finally bring justice for Kerriele and her sisters. The community remains hopeful that this renewed focus will lead to a breakthrough in the case that has haunted them for nearly a decade.
