A survivor of a Saturday house fire in Hutchinson is arrested on murder charges.

 

Hutchinson Police took Wendell Payton into custody yesterday in connection to the house fire that killed his wife Kalsey Payton and their four-year-old niece Naomi Payton on Saturday. Another child – six-year-old Piper Payton – was also injured in the blaze.

 

The two children had recently been placed in foster care with their aunt and uncle. Wendell Payton faces multiple charges including two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson.

 

The surviving child has been released from the hospital and placed back in the care of St. Francis Ministries.