Warrant issued for North Carolina man wanted in connection to fatal house fire

Published 10:49 am Saturday, February 12, 2022

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A warrant has been issued for a North Carolina man wanted in connection with a house fire in November that killed an 8-year-old boy, a sheriff’s office said.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page Tuesday that deputies are looking for William Jemeriah Howell, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

According to the sheriff’s office, detectives determined that Howell was the only adult in the home just outside of Kinston on Nov. 21 and was intoxicated. The investigation determined that Howell had turned on the kitchen stove to cook food, but left it unattended.

house fire

William Jemeriah Howell. Courtesy Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office

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The detectives said they believe Howell’s intoxication and negligence ultimately led to the child’s death.

Those with knowledge of Howell’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office at 252-559-6118 or Kinston Lenoir County Crimestoppers at 252-523-4444.

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