BATAVIA/Arrest made in February fire that claimed the life of a 10-year-old boy

File photo-Vine Street fire

Information from a provided press release

Following an investigation by the City of Batavia Police Department, City of Batavia Fire Department, and Genesee County District Attorney’s Office, an arrest has been made in connection with the tragic Vine Street fire that claimed the life of 10-year-old Javarius Williams.

Henry Banks, 55, of Batavia, was arrested on a sealed indictment warrant on charges of Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class E felony, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor. Banks was arraigned in Genesee County Court and held on $25,000 cash bail, $50,000 bond bail and $75,000 equity bail. He will re-appear in Genesee County Court on April 23, 2025 at 3:30p.m.

“Our investigation at this point has led us to believe that he was away from the home for an extended period of time,” says Det. Sgt. Matt Lutey

The devastating fire occurred on February 6, 2025, on Vine Street in the City of Batavia. Three children were found to have been left alone at the time the fire broke out. All three were transported to area hospitals after being rescued by the Police and Fire Departments. The cause of the fire is undetermined according to Det. Sgt. Matt Lutey.

Javarius Williams succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire. The City of Batavia Police Department and its partner agencies worked tirelessly on the investigation and wish to thank the community for their support and information. Banks was arraigned in Genesee County Supreme Court in front of Judge Melissa Lightcap-Cianfrini and remanded to the custody of the Genesee County Jail and is to appear at a future court date.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://crimewatch.net/us/ny/genesee/batavia-pd/138661/post/arrest-made-february-vine-street-fire-claimed-life-10-year-old