$2M bond set in blaze in Springfield Twp

Woman accused of murder, arson

8/24/2013

Bond was set at $2 million Friday for a Maumee woman charged with setting a fire at a Springfield Township condominium complex that killed two people, including her father.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros set the bond for Kenya McGhee, 38, who is charged with one count of aggravated murder and two counts each of murder and aggravated arson, all related to a March 25, 2012, fire at Hidden Cedars Condominiums.

Killed in the fire were Robert McGhee, 61, and Olandia Keith Dixon, 58.

Frank Spryszak, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court that while there are two separate victims, the late Mr. McGhee also is considered “a co-conspirator” in setting the deadly blaze.

He said afterward that investigators believe Mr. McGhee and his daughter “came up with a scheme to set the apartment building on fire together,” though he declined to comment on a motive.

Mr. McGhee succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning after he ran back into the burning building to rescue his daughter. She had jumped from a second-story window to escape the blaze. Mr. Dixon also died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ms. McGhee, who is being held in the Lucas County jail, is to return to court Thursday for arraignment. She was arrested last month in Houston by federal marshals.