Overview

• The Aug. 30 blaze in Chadbourn, N.C., killed sisters Kalani, Kendall, Josephina, and Sophia, ages 2 to 7, while their father Patrick Ellis and an 11-year-old sister survived.
• Henry County Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett announced that contributions organized with Shaquille O’Neal will pay the full costs to honor the girls.
• O’Neal leveraged his community-relations role with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office to mobilize support from multiple Georgia sheriffs and law-enforcement partners in Florida.
• A memorial service was scheduled for Sept. 13 in Columbus County with representatives from participating sheriffs in attendance.
• The children’s mother, Reagan Powers, faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter and negligent child abuse, has bonded out on a $400,000 bond, and the fire’s cause remains under investigation.