Third arrest made in Opelika childcare facility fires
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- Third arrest made: Terrance Kareem Johnson, 51, charged with two counts of arson in the second degree on February 24, 2026.
- Johnson owns daycare facility where fires occurred in January; two other men previously arrested; mason jars with accelerants found at fire scenes.
A third arrest was made in connection with the Opelika childcare facility fires earlier this year.
Terrance Kareem Johnson, 51, of Tuskegee, was arrested on two counts of arson in the second degree. Police arrested him during the evening hours of Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.
Johnson is the owner of TKJ By His Grace Ministries Inc. and the executive director of By His Grace Daycare and Learning Center. Johnson is also running for Alabama House of Representatives, District 82. This district serves all of Macon County and parts of Lee County, including Loachapoka and Auburn.
Johnson focused his campaign on jobs, healthcare and education.
Last week, police arrested two men – Michael Leon Green, 26, and Dante Kharari Brundidge, 28 – with arson charges.
The charges come after fires broke out at By His Grace Daycare and Learning Center on South Sixth Street and at Children Palace Learning Center in January. At both fires, mason jars filled with accelerants were located.
Before Johnson’s arrest, on Jan. 23, CNAW2News.com reached out to his email listed on social media regarding any statement he would like to make regarding the fires. A response was never sent.
Opelika police and fire officials, along with the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Marshals were involved in the case and the investigation.
If you have any information about these incidents, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220. Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App
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