Overview
- A kitchen fire at a Miami home prompted a police and fire investigation after videos showing the incident were posted to the woman’s Instagram account, with multiple outlets reporting the clips were uploaded the same day as the blaze on August 16.
- Authorities took 26-year-old Meliza Campos-Sanchez into custody on August 17 and charged her with first-degree arson, child abuse and two counts of child neglect, according to arrest affidavits reviewed by news organizations.
- Fire investigators and deputies reported finding burned clothing and items at the scene plus a silver mask, a red lighter and a clear plastic bottle that was believed to contain rubbing alcohol, and they concluded the fire was started with an open flame and an ignitable liquid.
- Investigators recorded the eldest daughter’s account that she and her younger sister saw their mother set the clothes on fire and pour hot candle wax onto all three of them, and the children’s father told police he had contacted authorities earlier out of concern and called after seeing the Instagram posts.
- Campos-Sanchez was taken to a hospital for a mental-health evaluation before booking, the children are in their father’s custody, and some records reported a judge-appointed public defender and an immigration hold while the criminal investigation and prosecution proceed.