Anchorage Daily News

A 13-year-old girl was found dead Thursday evening in a downstairs hallway of a South Anchorage home, the apparent victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, Anchorage police and fire officials said.

Authorities said the girl, identified as Johari Hodari, was found by her mother in the hallway on the lower level of the home. One or both of the two were checking on the home and caring for the dogs while the home's owners were out of town.

Johari was an Anchorage middle school student, police said.

Police Sgt. Lee Rohwer said the mother, Denita Goodhope, was hospitalized Thursday night in critical condition from carbon monoxide poisoning. Goodhope called 911, police said.

A neighbor, Crystal McMillan, said the mother seemed to be checking the home for a few minutes at a time in recent days. Goodhope's vehicle, however, was in the driveway of the home all Wednesday night, McMillan said.

Fire officials said the carbon monoxide concentration in the home remained heavy Thursday night and they had to wait for the air to clear before going inside. Police spokesman Lt. Paul Honeman said investigators believe the kitchen stove may be the source of the gas.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas and can kill a person before they are aware it is in a home.