Two toddlers were left to die in a house fire on Monday evening in Bastrop, Louisiana. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office say that 21-year-old Ciarria Johnson, mother to 4-year-old Ta’shae Thompson Johnson and 3-year-old Clifton Thompson Johnson, left her daughters alone to get her hair styled at a salon.
Johnson told authorities that she had made preparations for a neighbor to take care of her children prior to leaving her house around 1:30 p.m. She also said there were two gas space heaters on inside the home when she left. When she returned home to their wood-framed house, it was engulfed in flames.
Investigators say Ciarria Johnson did not make child care arrangements and she only returned home after being contacted about the fire, with her toddlers left to die in the house. She was found locked in her car at the scene.
State Fire Marshal Deputy Chief Brant Thompson told USA Today, “Our investigation determined that she made no such arrangements. That’s what is so disturbing to us. There were family members around she could have called, but she just didn’t bother.”
Thompson said that the fire was called in shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday. He added that her story that she left at 1:30 for her hair appointment is false. Investigators determined she actually had left the children alone since 10 a.m. that day.
A thorough examination revealed that the control valve to a gas heater in the living room was found on the “on” position. The cause of the fire was because of the close proximity of flammable materials to the space heater.
Johnson was charged on Tuesday on two counts of negligent homicide and letting her toddlers die in the house fire. Thompson said arrangements would be made for Johnson to be taken into custody in a few days.
“Needless to say, this is a tragic event has affected the entire community,” he added.
[photo credit: kilt medic via photopin cc]
Toddlers Left Alone By Mother Die In House Fire, Mom Arrested
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