© 2023 WOSU Public Media
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Teen Mother Dies After Saving Baby From Burning Building

A teenage mother who was called a hero for rescuing her five-week-old daughter from a burning building has died. Family members say 16-year-old Acairia Watkins died Sunday, two days after the fire broke out in a Columbus duplex. Watkins' family and witnesses say she saved the life of her daughter by putting her on the roof of the home's front porch to be rescued by firefighters. Nicole Battle called her daughter a hero who sacrificed herself to save her child. Twenty-eight-year-old Daneisha Wilson died from fire-related injuries on Saturday. Battle says her infant granddaughter is doing well. Watkins' 11-year-old sister also escaped the fire. Officials say the fire appears to have started in the kitchen.