Father Charged With Murder After Girl, 3, Dies In Queens Car Fire

SOUTH JAMAICA, QUEENS — The father of a three-year-old girl who died in a car fire in South Jamaica has been charged with murder.

Police arrested Long Island resident Martin Pereira, 39, on charges of murder, arson and reckless endangerment for the May 5 death of his daughter, Zoey Pereira, who was reportedly strapped into a car seat in the chained-shut vehicle.

First responders managed to rescue the girl from the burning car at 154th Street and Baisley Boulevard, but she died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, the city's medical examiner ruled.

Investigators found a propane tank and fuel containers nearby the car, according to police.

Pereira suffered such bad burns that he couldn't speak with investigators until days after the incident, according to the New York Post.

He was in a custody dispute with Zoey’s mom and had previously threatened to hurt the girl, the New York Post reported.