Mother Charged With Son’s Murder, Arson: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — A mother has been charged with murder in connection to her 8-year-old son’s death in 2016, according to police. Elijah Ziolkowski, 8, was found dead after a house fire on Davis Street on Nov. 14, 2016.

Karin Ziolkowski was arrested on a warrant Friday afternoon in North Carolina and she is accused of suffocating Elijah to death before the fire was set. She was arrested on charges of murder and second-degree arson. Officials originally said Elijah died of smoke inhalation and an arson investigation was launched soon after the fire.

“The cause of death has been ruled homicidal asphyxia, which occurred prior to the fire being set,” Sgt. Darrin McKay said in a press release.

Karin Ziolkowski has been living in North Carolina and was taken into custody on Friday by members of the Bessemer City Police Department.

“At this time she is being held at the Gaston County Repository in North Carolina while extradition is coordinated,” McKay said.

She is being held on a $1 million bond.