A Florida woman’s car caught fire with her children left unattended inside. Additionally, the woman is alleged to have been shoplifting inside Oviedo Mall as the incident took place, according to police.
On May 26, Alicia Moore reportedly parked in a Dillard’s parking lot, leaving her two children in the vehicle, per an arrest report obtained by CNN.
Florida Woman’s Car Engulfed In Flames With Kids Inside While She Shoplifted For Over An Hour, Cops Say
A loss prevention officer told police they saw the 24-year-old and an unknown man shoplift inside the mall for roughly an hour, the outlet reports.
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She reportedly dropped the stolen merchandise upon leaving the store as she saw her car engulfed in flames — with her two kids inside.
One of the children tried to get out of the car but could not. However, a shopper ultimately assisted in rescuing the children from the burning vehicle, according to WESH.
The children were taken to an area hospital and treated for multiple first-degree burns. One of them suffered burns “to her face and ears,” the report notes. It’s unclear as to their exact condition as of Monday (June 5).
Authorities are still unaware of what caused the fire. However, they added it would have never happened had Moore not been neglectful.
“It is undetermined what ignited the fire. However, if Moore was not being neglectful, it is unlikely [the child] would have been injured,” police said.
“Alicia Moore, 24, of Orlando, Florida was charged with first degree arson and child neglect with great bodily harm in connection with the May 26 incident in the Dillard's parking lot at Oviedo Mall.” https://t.co/CGbo5RTxrj
— Katrina Ski (@MtRushmore2016) June 5, 2023
Mother Charged With Arson, Child Neglect Alongside Unrelated Warrants, Court Records Show
Cops then proceeded to interview Moore, who allegedly told police she wanted an attorney.
She was initially only arrested on unrelated charges by the neighboring Orlando Police Department “for outstanding warrants in other counties,” the report said.
But Moore was eventually charged with arson and aggravated child neglect. A judge handed down the new counts while Moore was in custody at Orange County Jail, CNN cites the report as stating.
She’s also facing four charges of battery, petty left, and assault from previous incidents. Moore is currently being held on a $48,000 bond, jail records show.
The mother-of-two pleaded not guilty to the two charges related to her kids during her arraignment on Friday (June 2). Additionally, jail records state that she has been “transferred” to “another facility” as of June 5.
Her next court date is scheduled for June 27, according to PEOPLE.
