Florida Mother Faces Arson and Child Abuse Charges
A 26-year-old Florida woman has been arrested after authorities alleged that she deliberately started a fire inside her Miami-area home while her two young daughters were inside. Investigators also say the woman poured melted candle wax onto herself and the children during a series of disturbing incidents.
Meliza Campos-Sanchez was arrested Aug. 17 and faces charges of first-degree arson, child abuse and two counts of child neglect, according to authorities. The case began after firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire at the home on Aug. 16.
Investigators determined that the blaze appeared to have been intentionally started using an open flame, combustible materials and an ignitable liquid. Fire officials found burned clothing and other items in the kitchen, along with a lighter, a silver mask and a plastic bottle containing a clear liquid believed to be rubbing alcohol.
Videos Draw Attention From Investigators
Authorities later discovered videos that Campos-Sanchez had posted on Instagram. In one recording, she allegedly used lit candles to melt wax before applying it to her own leg and the hands of her daughters.
A second video reportedly showed the woman wearing a silver mask in the kitchen. Investigators said she sprayed a liquid onto clothing lying on the floor before setting the material on fire with a lighter.
The children’s ages were reported as 6 and 3. Investigators also spoke with the older daughter, who allegedly described seeing her mother ignite clothing on the kitchen floor while dancing. According to the investigation, the mother eventually used a bowl of water to extinguish the flames.
The girl further told investigators that her mother later brought both children into the kitchen and poured hot wax from lit candles onto herself and the girls.
Husband Alerted Police After Seeing the Videos
Campos-Sanchez’s husband, Yusniel Cue, reportedly told investigators that the couple had been dealing with marital problems and that he had been staying with his parents while Campos-Sanchez remained at the house with their daughters.
Cue said a friend contacted him after seeing the videos and advised him to reach out to law enforcement. When he arrived at the residence, deputies and firefighters were already at the scene, and he took custody of the children.
Authorities also learned about an earlier alleged suicide attempt involving Campos-Sanchez. Her husband reportedly said he had contacted the sheriff’s office during the previous week because he was concerned about the children.
Campos-Sanchez was taken to a hospital for evaluation and was reportedly sedated, preventing investigators from immediately questioning her. She was later booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Institution on the arson, child abuse and child neglect allegations.
The allegations remain part of an ongoing criminal case, and the charges against Campos-Sanchez are accusations that have not yet been proven in court.
