LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After years of waiting, a Louisville community can finally start getting closure after a fire killed a mother and her two children.
Several family members who live on Shanks Lane, where the fire took place, as well as, members at Highland Park Missionary Baptist Church said even though the fire took place six years ago they still remember the flames.
In 2017, fire fighters arrived at an apartment complex in Southwest Louisville.
"It's a tragic event to happen out here," Fay Miller, a woman who goes to church across from where fire happened, said.
The victims included 41-year-old Archie Riley and her children, 16-year-old Savannah Cooper and 11-year-old Kameron Harris.
"Justice will be served and that's something we want to see," Miller said.
Danesha Peden, 33, was charged with setting the apartment on fire. At the time, prosecutors said Peden started the fire over a domestic dispute with someone else.
"When people react to a situation negatively, they fail to think about the trickle down effect that they can have," Miller said. "They didn't think about you know, I'm gonna get this right now. But what about the people who were next door? What about even here at the church people who learned about it, the minimal effect that he could have on people?"
On Friday, six years later, Peden plead guilty to three counts of murder, including one count of arson and 15 counts of wanton endangerment.
"I just hope that it isn't circumstantial. No, they have actual facts and have extra information about the lady, young lady who was involved," Don Malone, a man who goes to church across from where fire happened, said.
An apartment building fire in southwest Louisville in 2017 killed three people. Danesha Peden plead guilty on Nov. 17, 2023. (WDRB photo)
Part of the plea agreement recommended 46 years in prison.
"We are in the forgiving-business, but I realize, even with forgiving people, you have to sometimes serve according to the law. They have to, you know, be penalized for what they're doing, but we just pray for her and pray for the Father of the kids that can understand his position, you know, for people called closure," Malone said. "I don't think closure should always be revenge. I think closure should be something that's going to be helpful and healthy for everybody."
"If you know that's how the court system feels, I believe that's what she do for her then. You know, that's just, it's and we hope that that will be enough for the father," Miller said. "We hope that the community knows that we here at Highland Park Missionary Baptist Church, we are here to serve. So, if there's anything that we can do, please let us know."
Peden is not eligible for parole. Sentencing is scheduled for January.
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