Memphis, Tn – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Tuesday that the state Grand Jury for Shelby County had returned an indictment against a Memphis woman whose two young children died from injuries sustained in a house fire last month.
Melodia Dunn, 22, has been indicted on two counts of aggravated child neglect or endangerment (a non-parolable class A felony) and two counts of reckless homicide (a class D felony).
According to the first two counts of the indictment, Dunn did unlawfully and knowingly, other than by accidental means, neglect or endanger Ladereon Dunn and Cartareon Dunn.
The third and fourth counts of the indictment state that Dunn did unlawfully and recklessly kill her two children.
Ladereon Dunn, 3, died on October 19, the same day his home, a duplex located at 1240 Effie, caught fire. His brother, Cartareon, 2, died October 26 from injuries sustained during the fire.
“I have been outraged by this incident and know the public has been, as well. We will seek to hold the defendant accountable for her actions,” said District Attorney Gibbons. “If found guilty on all counts, Ms. Dunn is looking at a long prison sentence.”
Dunn is being held in the Shelby County Jail on $250,000 bond. An arraignment date has not been set.
UPDATE: As per an MPD release, the facts of the case were presented to the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office and they have declined to file criminal charges at this time. The case will be completed and submitted to the District Attorney General’s Grand Jury section for a final review.
