Mom Accused of Negligent Homicide After Deadly Fire in Bastrop, Louisiana

from nbc

A 21-year-old mother was charged with negligent homicide late Tuesday after her two young children died in a house fire while she was out getting her hair styled, officials said. Ciarria Johnson left her 4-year-old daughter, Ta'shae Thompson Johnson, and 3-year-old son, Clifton Thompson Johnson, home alone without supervision, according to a statement from the state fire marshal. Johnson also left two gas space heaters turned on in the wood-framed home in Bastrop, Louisiana. She returned to find the house "completely engulfed in flames."

"While investigators of the state fire marshal's office are still piecing together their findings in the tragic fire that occurred on Pruett Street, one thing is certain: Ciarria Johnson … left her children unattended for hours as she was having her hair styled," the statement said.

A control valve on a gas heater in the living room, where the fire is believed to have started, was found in the "on" position, the statement said. It added the fire likely started because of flammable materials being too close to the heater.

KTVE

Two children died after a house fire in Bastrop, Louisiana, on Tuesday.