The mother of a toddler killed in an East End arson fire remains in a coma in a Pittsburgh hospital, her family said Saturday.
Brandy Etchison, 33, escaped from a third-story window with her 2-year-old daughter Madison Etchison early Thursday as fire ripped through the South Second Street duplex, a fire that police investigators said was set by a 62-year-old East Freedom man intent on killing an ex-girlfriend he mistakenly believed was staying at the home
Darrel Etchison Jr., 3, died at Altoona Regional after he was rescued by firefighters in an upstairs bedroom.
Darrel Etchison Sr.'s daughter Caline Etchison, 31, said Saturday that the last few days have been a nightmare for the family and that her father, who was not home at the time of the fire at just after 6 a.m., is "heartbroken."
"Right now, everyone is focused on getting my brother laid to rest," said Caline Etchison, who said family members were arriving from out of town this weekend as plans for Darrel Etchison Jr.'s funeral were worked out.
"He was loved so much," said Caline Etchison. "It's heart-wrenching."
A candlelight vigil is also being planned, but details of that had not been worked out as of Saturday night, she said.
Brandy Etchison, who suffered smoke inhalation and fall injuries, remains in an induced coma as doctors work to clean out her lungs, Caline Etchison said.
Aaron Wilson Dishong remains in Blair County Prison on homicide, attempted homicide, arson and related charges. Police said Dishong broke into 113 South Second Street the morning of a scheduled hearing on a protection-from-abuse order sought by an ex-girlfriend who was a friend of the Etchisons and had stayed at their home.
