(11-30-24) Indiana State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating after they received a 911 call around 12:10 p.m. that reported that there was a house fire at 646 Columbus Street in Wabash, Indiana. A passerby observed the fire and alerted family members who were in a separate part of the residence.

The Wabash Fire Department arrived on the scene to find the house actively burning, the Noble Township Fire Department was dispatched for assistance.

When they arrived, firefighters found that two children were inside the burning structure. A 6-month-old was found unconscious and not breathing. First responders immediately performed CPR on the child, who was then taken by ambulance and flown to an Indianapolis hospital.

Firefighters located Deliaha Goforth (2) inside and she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the origin and cause of the fire. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire began on the first floor in an area occupied by Deliaha at the time. Initial information indicates the two children were in separate rooms and reportedly sleeping when the fire started.

The investigation is expected to take time to ensure thoroughness, and additional details may not be immediately available.

An autopsy for the 2-year-old will be conducted at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Indiana State Police, in coordination with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Wabash County Coroner’s Office, are working to find if a criminal element was involved in this incident.

This is an active ongoing investigation.