Granddad of Three Kids Killed in New Orleans Fire Begs Son: 'Turn Yourself in'

The deaths of three children found in a house fire has been ruled a homicide by New Orleans Police.

The children's mother reportedly called police just after midnight saying the father had threatened to set the house on fire, WDSU reported adding that she was not at home when the fire started. 

A five-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy were located by firefighters just inside the door. Crews tried to resuscitate them before transporting them to a hospital. However, they were later pronounced dead.

Firefighters later found the body of a 3-year-old boy was found near the center of the house.  

A Ring camera footage show a man leaving the scene of the fire and driving away in a black Charger. Officers identified the man as Joseph Washington.

The car Washington was driving was found in Gretna. 

The children's grandfather, Troy McDonnell, was at the house in the 4900 block of America Street the morning after the fire, distraught and attempting to get ahold of his son, according to the Times Picayune.

“If I catch him, I’m gonna kill him, " McDonnell said.

McDonnell said his son started the fire while the children's mother was at work. She was admitted to a hospital on suicide watch Wednesday morning, another family member said. 

"Turn yourself in," McDonnell implored his son. 

Court records show there was a history of domestic violence involving the couple.