A tragic incident has left a woman guilty after her four young boys perished in a fire. The devastating event occurred when she had left them unattended at home to run errands at Sainsbury’s. Deveca Rose, a 30-year-old mother, had left her two sets of twins alone in their rented home in Sutton, south-west London, on the evening of December 16, 2021. The court learned that the family had been living in appalling conditions, with the house filled with rubbish and human waste prior to the fire.
Rose had denied the charges brought against her but has now been found guilty of manslaughter and child cruelty. A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for over three hours, resulting in a guilty verdict for four counts of manslaughter. The judge adjourned sentencing to November 15, acknowledging the tragic nature of the case. The boys, Leyton and Logan Hoath (aged three) and Kyson and Bryson Hoath (aged four), were unable to escape the fire that started in the living room.
Neighbours attempted to rescue the children, but they were trapped and ultimately perished due to inhalation of fire fumes. Efforts to save them at separate hospitals were unsuccessful. Rose had initially claimed she had left the boys with a friend named Jade, prompting a search for this individual. However, investigations revealed inconsistencies in her account, leading authorities to believe Jade may not have been real or present that day.
Witnesses, including the children’s father Dalton Hoath and other family members, recalled instances where Rose had left the children unattended in the past. Concerns had been raised by a social worker and health visitor prior to the incident, but no further action was taken. This heartbreaking case sheds light on the consequences of neglect and the need for vigilance in ensuring the safety and welfare of children.
Throughout the trial, evidence suggested Rose may have been struggling with mental health issues, though she declined to testify in her defence. The prosecution argued that her condition did not excuse her actions. The tragic loss of four young lives serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of proper care and supervision for vulnerable individuals. The sentencing for this devastating incident is pending, as the community mourns the loss of these young boys.