HOUMA, La. (AP) -- The father of a 3-year-old girl who died in a July 14 house fire was arrested Tuesday, accused of starting the blaze that killed the girl and her mother, grandmother and aunt.
Terry Malbrough, 22, was booked with four counts of first-degree murder, four of attempted murder and one of aggravated arson, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.
District Attorney Joe Waitz said he would seek the death penalty.
Malbrough and his girlfriend, Antoinette Touro, 35, argued the night of the fire, investigators said. Later that night, Malbrough allegedly set a fire in the home's utility room.
He and four men escaped.
In addition to Touro and her daughter, Darlene Touro, the victims were Touro's mother, Velma Touro, 64; and sister Tammy Touro, 45.
Velma Touro's husband, Lawrence Touro, 65, remained hospitalized Tuesday in critical condition.
The three who escaped with Malbrough were identified as John Freeman, 63, a family friend; Ernest Touro, 41, and Louis Adams, 62, who was Tammy Touro's fiance.
The women and child all were dead when firefighters arrived, likely of smoke inhalation because their bodies were not badly burned, fire department officials said.
A woman and the child were found in one bedroom near a window through which they apparently tried to escape, Bayou Cane Fire Chief Jerry Gautreaux said at the time. The other two women were in a separate bedroom, one in bed and the other in a chair.
