Connecticut woman Donna Mladina was charged Monday with intentionally starting a fire that killed her 78-year-old father in his Bridgeport home on the day the property was to be auctioned.
First responders rushed to an early morning house fire on Sept. 20, where they located Mladina and her dad, Jakov Mladina, according to News 12.
Mladina, 53, was reportedly removed from the home with injuries that were not life-threatening. Her father was found non-responsive in one of the house’s bedrooms and brought to Bridgeport Hospital in critical condition. The victim died from his injuries five days later, according to the New Haven Register.
Authorities said the home was in foreclosure.
Investigators reportedly smelled a flammable liquid and discovered surveillance video appearing to show Mladina removing valuable items from the house before she was taken outside by rescue workers. Her father’s death was ruled a homicide.
The New Haven Register reported Monday that Mladina faces charges that include murder. She’s believed to have used an accelerant to start the blaze around 1 a.m. The suspect’s bail was reportedly set at $1.5 million. New Haven authorities haven’t responded to a request for comment.
The victim was born in Strmendolac, Croatia, according to an obituary describing “Jackie Boy” as “a hardworking man who found joy in simple pleasures—riding his motorcycle, making wine, and caring for his garden.”
He is survived by two daughters, including the suspect, as well as a pair of sisters in Croatia. His wife of 29 years, Luca (Žižić-Gušo) Mladina, died in 2000.
