Mother Charged in Deadly House Fire Pleads Not Guilty

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A DeKalb County mother, charged with leaving her five children alone when their home caught fire, pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.

Three of Rockell Coleman’s children died in the fire last December.

Prosecutors said Coleman lied when she told police that she left her children with a babysitter so she could go to work. They said she was at a restaurant with friends.

Coleman’s mother told FOX 5 earlier this year that witnesses have lied to police.

Coleman, her mother and her attorney Daryl Queen declined comment Monday. 

Coleman faces charges of murder and child cruelty.