Stepfather charged in Oakland motel fire

OAKLAND — Investigators have confirmed the fire in the morning of June 16 at Lake Johns Motel — on West Colonial Drive in Oakland — killed Caleb Eisenberg, 5, a few days later from smoke inhalation. His brother, Thomas Conyers, 4, remains unconscious and unresponsive at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, according to Joint Homicide Investigative Team reports.

The JHIT, which includes about 20 detectives from Orange and Osceola counties, has deemed this blaze a homicide, with assistance from Oakland police, Orange County Fire Rescue and state fire and children’s officials.

Reports indicate Luis Cruz, the children’s 19-year-old stepfather, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, criminal mischief and arson of a dwelling.

Cruz said no one was inside and told neighbors not to call 911. However, Isaiah Francis, 10, and Jeremiah Grimes, 11, rescued two babies from the residence after they realized the inferno while playing video games in an adjacent unit.

Many minutes later, firefighters found Eisenberg and Conyers unconscious inside.

Further information about the rescued children and their mother was not available at press time, although a Department of Children and Families representative, Kristi Gray, issued a statement.

“The kids are with relatives as the agency continues to conduct the investigation and make decisions regarding the direction of the case,” Gray said. “The children are not in protective custody at this time. However, that could change as information is collected.”

Since July 8, Cruz has been in Polk County Jail on charges of violating probation from grand theft and burglary charges. He has five previous arrests on burglary and drug possession charges.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].