Boy Dies of Burns; Hawthorne Police Search for Arsonist

A 2-year-old Hawthorne boy, burned over 88% of his body when an arsonist torched his family’s apartment Saturday, has died, and police said those responsible for the crime will now be charged with murder.

Robert Davis died Tuesday at 6:50 p.m., a spokeswoman for County-USC Medical Center said, three days after he was taken to the burn center. His sister, Shartesia Williams, who was 2 days old when the fire was set, and his mother, Valerie Rivers, 20, were believed to be in critical condition at Torrance Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday, both suffering from severe burns.

Officials at Torrance Memorial have repeatedly declined to release the conditions of the infant or her mother, or even to acknowledge that the two are at the hospital. Hawthorne police and fire sources hinted Wednesday that concerns over Rivers’ safety may have prompted the unusual secrecy.

As news of the youngster’s death spread Wednesday--those at a City Council meeting reacted with sorrow after the announcement--police and arson investigators appeared to press even harder in their search for suspects. Police remained tight-lipped about the investigation.

“We’re getting close to something,” said Detective Ron Frazier, declining to elaborate.

Firefighters and police arrived shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday at the family’s one-bedroom apartment in the 4900 block of 116th Street. After rescuing the three occupants--the children from the bedroom, the mother from the bathroom, where she had apparently gone to extinguish her burning clothes--fire officials quickly determined that someone had intentionally started the blaze by pouring a flammable liquid around the bedroom area.

Even seasoned investigators were shaken at such a crime involving two children.

“To see a baby burned, it was just . . . “ Detective Don Rabas said, his voice trailing off.

Times correspondent Jon Garcia contributed to this story.