ST. LOUIS (KMOX) updated 4:45 p.m. Friday — The mother of the four children injured in Thursday's fire in South St. Louis, has been charged with endangering their welfare.
Investigators say 27-year-old Crystal Ford left the children, all under the age of 5, alone in the home for an extended period of time.
The mother of the four children injured in yesterday's fire on Ohio is charged with 4 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Investigators say 27 yo Crystal Ford left the children, all under the age of 5, alone in the home for an extended period of time. @kmoxnews pic.twitter.com/9VJLLSSIFj
— Brian Kelly (@Brpkelly)
August 16, 2019 The fire broke out while she was gone. Firefighters had to rescue the four kids, three of whom were initially listed in critical condition with smoke inhalation. All are now in stable condition.
Ford faces four felony counts.
St. Louis Fire Department Spokesperson Captain Garron Mosby said when firefighters arrived no adult was present, but then a woman in charge showed up to tell them where to find the kids.
The fire was in the 1300 block of Ohio at Caroline.
The children were hiding in a tent and a closet in a back play room, where smoke was already starting to accumulate. Firefighters had to go through a crooked series of hallways to find the children, while the fire raged in a front bedroom.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Child Abuse Division and Bomb and Arson Unit are also investigating.
KMOX's Kevin Killeen reported from the scene.
Firefighters say they got the children out just in a nick of time.
1300blk of Ohio - Occupied two story brick apartment building. #Fire on the second floor; extinguished.Four children (all under the age of 5) #rescued by firefighters. Originally transported urgently (3 in critical condition; 1 stable). Fire investigators on scene. #STLCity pic.twitter.com/Ffw2PK4gQz
— St. Louis Fire Dept (@STLFireDept)
August 15, 2019 © 2019 KMOX (Entercom). All rights reserved.
