Child Dies in House Fire; Grandfather Arrested

News9.com

OKMULGEE, Oklahoma -- A 2-year-old Okmulgee boy died in a house fire Friday morning after being left home alone by his grandfather, police said.

Joe Strong, 64, was arrested and booked into the Okmulgee County jail on a complaint of first degree manslaughter, said Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice.

Prentice said emergency crews were called to a house fire at 8:24 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the home, 1215 S. Alabama Ave., they saw smoking coming from the residence.

Firefighters found Brycen Stokley, 2, in a bedroom. He was to an Okmulgee hospital where he was pronounced dead, Prentice said.

Investigators said the child had been left alone for two hours in the home by his grandfather.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the state Fire Marshal's office.