The Opelika Police Department has arrested Michael Leon Green, 26, and Dante Kharari Brundidge, 28, both from Tuskegee, on arson charges. The arrests stem from two separate fires that occurred at Opelika childcare facilities in January 2026.
On January 13, 2026, at approximately 3:23 a.m., the Opelika Fire Department (OFD) responded to a structure fire at By His Grace Daycare & Learning Center, located at 311 South 6th Street. Days later, on January 19, 2026, just after 11:30 p.m., OFD responded to a second structure fire at the Children Palace Learning Center, located at 116 Columbus Parkway. Firefighters successfully extinguished both fires, and no injuries were reported in either incident.
During the initial investigations, authorities discovered glass mason jars filled with an accelerant at both locations. Evidence gathered from the scenes led investigators to identify Green and Brundidge as the suspects.
Green was arrested on February 18 and Brundidge on February 19, 2026. Both were booked into the Lee County Jail.
We would like to thank ALEA and the U.S. Marshals for their assistance on this case. 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.
