Racqual Thompson, 25, and Cornell Malone, 21, have been charged for the death of J'zyra (C)HPD |
A Houston mother and her boyfriend have been charged in connection with the death of her 19-month-old daughter, who was burned alive in an oven when she and her three young siblings were left home alone (You can read the story here). Racqual Thompson, 25, and Cornell Malone, 21, are each facing four counts of endangering a child after J'zyra Thompson was put in the oven by one of her siblings while they went out to get pizza
Both remain jailed on Tuesday, each with bonds totaling $36,000, after their arrests Tuesday morning. Court records didn't list attorneys for the pair. KTRK-TV reported last week that according to court records, J'zyra Thompson's two three-year-old siblings told Child Protective Services that one of them put J'zyra inside the oven and that they made the oven 'hot.'
Late J'zyra Thompson |
According to court records prosecutors filed Monday, Thompson told investigators that on the evening of November 16, she had left her four children, including a five-year-old, alone in their apartment for about 30 minutes to pick up Malone from work.
Later that night, Thompson and Malone again left the children alone after putting them to bed to go get some pizza and visit Malone's brother. The couple was gone for about two hours.
'Mr. Malone stated that when they returned and went into the apartment, he could 'smell something burning,'' according to a probable cause affidavit.
Thompson and Malone told police they found the three other children crying and pointing to the kitchen. In the kitchen, the oven had tipped over, with the oven's door face down on the floor, with J'zyra apparently inside, according to the affidavit.
Malone 'stated he uprighted the 'range' and the next thing he noticed was J'zyra was lying on the floor. He stated that she was obviously burned and deceased,' according to the affidavit. The oven had apparently been turned on 'all the way.'
CPS has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the girl's death as the court records it filed in the case have since been sealed by a judge. The three other children who were living in the apartment have been taken into CPS custody, with the agency saying it was concerned the children were often left home alone and without adult supervision.
Police said Malone is not J'zyra's father. According to court records, Thompson is currently 8½ months pregnant. Both are set to make their initial court appearance before a trial judge on Monday, reports the DailyMail.
carelessness in a way but it could have happened to anyone. Kids need supervision all the time
ReplyDeleteleaving the kids with no adult supervision is a no no
ReplyDeleteone of them could have gone for the pizza,...
ReplyDelete