Florida woman charged with child neglect after her car catches fire as she was allegedly shoplifting
A Florida woman is facing child neglect and arson charges after her car became engulfed in flames with her two young children inside.
OVIEDO (FL) (AP). According to an arrest report, a Florida woman faces charges for aggravated child abuse and arson. Her car was engulfed by flames as she allegedly attempted to shoplift at a shopping mall.
According to a report by the Oviedo Police Department, Alicia Moore (24), parked her vehicle in a lot near a Dillard's store at Oviedo Mall. Moore's report stated that she left her children in the car. The names and ages of the children were redacted.
According to the report, security saw Moore and an unidentified man shoplifting at Dillard's. Moore left Dillard's after about an hour to find her car in flames. She dropped the merchandise as she was leaving the store.
At the mall, passersby saw the car in flames and saved the children trying to get out. The children were transported to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The arrest report stated that one child had suffered burns to her face and ears.
Moore was charged with aggravated neglect of children for allegedly leaving children in the car who were unable to care for themselves, according the report.
The police said that they do not know what started the fire, but it is unlikely that the children were injured if Moore had not been 'negligent'. Moore was charged with arson as the fire happened while she was allegedly committing an offense, according to the arrest report.
According to court documents, Moore was represented by the public defender's Office. The office did not respond to an email sent late Saturday seeking comment.
Moore is currently being held in jail on a $40,000 bond. On Friday, a public defender asked for Moore's release without bail or that the bail be reduced to a'reasonable and affordable amount'.