The suspect charged in connection to an apartment fire that killed a child on the Fourth of July made a first court appearance Wednesday.
Brittany Armstrong is charged with involuntary manslaughter, burning certain buildings, and possession of pyrotechnics.
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The charges stem from what investigators say was an accidental, but deadly discharge of illegal fireworks in the Ashbrooke Apartments on East Pope Street in Dunn.
Fire officials say the fireworks struck an apartment window and started a blaze that left a child dead. Investigators say the fireworks were improperly secured.
Family members identified the victim as seven-year-old Cashmere Parker. They say two other people, including Parker's father, were hospitalized while trying to rescue the child. Investigators say four units at the complex were damaged.
During a news conference Tuesday, Dunn Police Chief "Lynn" Gay announced the charges against Armstrong, who he says lives at the Ashbrooke Apartments. Hours later, Armstrong was arrested at a hotel in Fayetteville after she failed to turn herself in, according to Gay.
Dunn police did not immediately respond to WRAL's question Wednesday about any previous complaints of fireworks use at the complex and how investigators were able to track Armstrong down. During Wednesday's hearing,
District Court Judge Craig James did not change Armstrong's $75,000 secured bond. Armstrong appeared remotely from jail in a pink inmate uniform during the minutes-long hearing.
Armstrong's next court appearance is July 28.