Crime & Safety

Southington Teen Faces Manslaughter Charge in Fatal Fire

The suspect reportedly tossed a lit sparkler through an open window which caused the deadly fire.


An 18-year-old Southington teen is facing manslaughter and reckless endangerment charges in connection with the early Sunday apartment fire that left another teen dead.

Detectives from t he Southington Police Department arrested Eric Morelli of 244 Westwood Rd., Southington in connection with the fatal fire that occurred at 32 Darling St., Apartment A. 

Police had obtained an arrest warrant from New Britain Superior Court charging Morelli with first-degree manslaughter and three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, according to police. 

Morelli's arrest follows the early morning fire June 22 at the Summer Brook Apartment complex that killed 19-year-old Kristen Milano who was asleep in a second-floor bedroom. 

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According to a report from WFSB, Morelli reportedly tossed a lit sparkler through an open second-floor window in an attempt to rouse Milano's brother who apparently was not in the room and asleep on the first floor. The brother and an aunt escaped the blaze, unaware Kristen was asleep upstairs.

The state medical examiner determined she died of smoke inhalation and ruled her death a homicide on Monday.

Find out what's happening in Mansfield-Storrswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to police, Morelli was able to post $150,000 overnight Tuesday and was released early Wednesday. He is scheduled to appear July 7 at state Superior Court in Bristol.

The arrest warrant affidavit has been sealed by the court, so no further details are being released at this time, police also said.

 


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