Fire That Killed Child Intentionally Set: Police

A Frisco woman intentionally set an overnight fire that killed a 2-year-old boy and injured three others in Carrollton, police said.

According to police and fire investigators, Toni Barnett started the blaze by intentionally igniting a bed Christian Smalls was lying on with a "barbecue-style extended lighter."

The fire was first reported at about 2 a.m. Friday at Smalls' home in the 4200 block of Wild Plum Drive. Seven people were inside the residence when the fire started, including Smalls, Barnett and five boys ages 2, 4, 7, 12 and 13.

Smalls tried to put out the fire, but was unsuccessful. He fled the residence and was able to help four of his five children escape through a second-floor window. But his 2-year-old son Braylen died in the fire.

Firefighters reported seeing heavy smoke and fire billowing from the residence when they arrived.

Two of the boys and Smalls were injured in the fire and transported to Baylor Medical Center of Carrollton for treatment of minor injuries. All are expected to recover.

Barnett, a Frisco resident who is an acquaintance of Smalls, made it out of the home without injury and is currently being held at the Carrollton Police Department pending capital murder charges in connection with Braylen's death.

Mary McCowen and Nicole Hawthorne, who work with Braylen's mother, left flowers at the home.

"It's just really sad," McCowen said. "It's devastating. I've cried all morning, and I just can't believe this is happening to somebody that you care about. He was a vibrant, young, funny, sweet, typical 2-year-old little boy. She would bring him into work, and he was just fun to be around."