Tragedy has struck in New York as a woman and her newborn child have died under horrifying circumstances. Authorities allege that the woman’s boyfriend strangled her before setting their home ablaze, with the infant still inside.

On October 23, Kidane Haile, 30, faced indictment and arraignment on charges of second-degree murder in Erie County. The charges relate to the deaths of his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen Carrig, and their four-day-old son, Noah, as reported by the district attorney’s office.

District Attorney Mike Keane stated that Haile is accused of murdering Carrig intentionally before the fire engulfed their residence. He noted that additional charges could follow as the investigation progresses, emphasizing the ongoing pursuit of answers and justice for the victims’ family.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on October 18. Responding to an emergency call about a fire, the Buffalo Fire Department arrived at the apartment on Norwood Avenue at approximately 8:35 am.

Upon entry, firefighters found Carrig and her newborn son, both tragically deceased. The scene has left a community in mourning as the legal process unfolds.

Inside the apartment, firefighters discovered Carrig and her newborn, who were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Haile was taken to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. He was discharged on October 22 and taken into police custody because investigators of the fire had quickly deemed it a ‘suspicious incident.’

The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office also determined Carrig’s death was a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation. 

Haile pleaded not guilty in court. Prosecutors expect to file additional charges against Haile for the death of the infant once there has been further investigation

Kathleen Carrig (left) perished in the home. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Carrig’s death was a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation

Noah was four days old and died after Haile allegedly doused the apartment with gasoline and set it on fire

At a press conference, District Attorney Keane accused Haile of strangling his girlfriend to death before using gasoline to set their first-floor apartment on fire while the infant was inside. 

The specific cause of death of the four-day-old is still under investigation. 

‘The people intend to seek charges in respect to an additional victim in this case and intend to file a superseding indictment in the very near future,’ Keane said.  

Haile was a financial aid advisor at the University of Buffalo. The school released a statement after his arrest that extended condolences to those grieving and said: ‘The university is aware of the serious charge against Kidane Haile.

‘Although the university cannot comment on specific personnel matters, UB has a robust disciplinary process in place to address instances where an employee may have engaged in criminal activity.’

Haile is being held in the Erie County Holding Center without bail, and a return court date has not yet been scheduled. He pleaded not guilty to his charges. 

Carrig was allegedly strangled to death by Haile before he set fire to the apartment

Grieving friends on social media described Carrig as a ‘sweet girl’ and ‘a wonderful person’

The fire and alleged killings took place on the first floor of this building on Norwood Avenue in Buffalo

Kidane Haile, 30, was indicted and arraigned for second-degree murder after allegedly killing his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen Carrig, and his infant son, Noah

If convicted, Haile faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Grieving friends on social media described Carrig as a ‘sweet girl’ and ‘a wonderful person.’

This was not the first time a child has been killed in a house fire intentionally or through negligence. 

In July 2024, an Australian father was accused of barricading the doors and setting fire to his house while his seven children were inside. Four of them escaped but three died. 

In 2016, a New York mother was charged with causing the death of her toddler daughter who was killed in a fire while the mother was performing at a strip club. 

In 2015, a particularly disturbing case similar to Haile’s alleged crimes took place. A New Jersey mother was charged with dousing her newborn daughter with accelerant and lighting her on fire.