Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
Editor's note: Police said one of the two boys critically injured in the fire died. The story has been updated with the correct information.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) --- A 2-year-old boy died more than a week after he and his 1-year-old brother were critically injured in a fire in Washington Heights, police said Monday.
Authorities said the boy, who has not been identified, was taken off life support on March 25.
The fire broke out in an apartment in a multi-story building at 206 Audubon Ave. in Washington Heights at around 10:54 p.m. on March 20, according to the NYPD. A 1-year-old boy suffered from smoke inhalation and burns, while the 2-year-old son suffered from smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remained unclear, police said.
The 2-year-old boy was in critical condition at the hospital for more than a week, police said. The 1-year-old boy remained in critical condition, as of Monday, police said.
The mother, Skilyn Maldonado, 23, allegedly went out to get cigarettes when the fire started, sources said. The boys' 8-year-old sister told officers that she was left home alone with her brothers, according to sources.
Maldonado was previously charged with endangering the welfare of a child. It was unclear if she would be charged in the death.
The toddlers' father was previously questioned and cleared, sources said.
A GoFundMe for the family has raised more than $13,000, as of Monday morning.
"As a tight-knit community, we're rallying together to support them during this unimaginably difficult time," the post said.
This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.