The County Press

Infant dies from injuries due to Tuesday fireFree Access


IMLAY CITY — Imlay City Police this morning reported that the youngest member of a family stricken by a fatal fire Tuesday morning has died from her injuries, bringing the death toll to four.

Imlay City Police Dept. spokesman Melissa Anglebrandt said Randy Tyrrell, the child’s grandfather, called police to say that Keyairah Kelly, 1 month, died at the University of Michigan Burn Center’s Pediatric Unit overnight.

Three of Keyairah’s siblings — Keith, 6; Keyondre, 5; and Keyanna, 2 — perished Tuesday in a mobile home fire on Magnolia Drive in the Maple Grove Mobile Home Community.

Their parents Keith Kelley, 42, and Krystal Whitney, 29, remain hospitalized at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Krystal managed to escape the burning home about 3 a.m. Tuesday and scream for help.

Keith and their lone surviving child, 19-month-old Keyshawn, are listed in critical condition while Krystal has been upgraded to stable condition.

Tyrrell has established a trust fund for the family at Lakestone Bank & Trust. She said that while several GoFundMe pages have sprung up on social media, police are recommending people make out checks to For the Benefit of the Whitney/Kelley Family and take them to any office of Lakestone.

There has been an outpouring for support for the family, starting with a candlelight vigil in front of their burnt-out home that attracted about 200 people and media attention from Detroit and Flint.

The Culture Council at the Imlay City Kroger store will host a benefit for the family this weekend. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday they will sell hot dogs, chips and pop at the store to benefit the Whitney/Kelley family. Proceeds will be deposited in the Lakestone Bank & Trust account.

A press conference has been scheduled at 12:30 p.m. at the Imlay City Police Dept. Look for more on story in Sunday’s edition of The County Press.

–Phil Foley