A Florida mother was busy shoplifting inside of a department store when her car suddenly burst into flames with her two children trapped inside, according to police.
Alicia Moore, 24, parked her car outside the Dillard’s department store at the Oviedo Mall on May 26 with her two young kids inside who “could not care for themselves” according to a police report.
“It is undetermined what ignited the fire, however, if Moore was not being neglectful, it is unlikely said (the child) would have been injured,”
police said.
The Orlando native then went inside the store with a man, who has not been identified, and allegedly began stealing from the store, according to police.
Nearly an hour later, she left the store and found her car engulfed in a massive blaze. The mother dropped all of the allegedly stolen items in the store and ran towards the vehicle, cops said.
Witnesses saw the car on fire and rescued the children inside. One child suffered first-degree burns to her face and ears. Law enforcement and emergency services were contacted who soon arrived on the scene. The children were taken to the hospital and treated for multiple first-degree burns.
The woman Is now charged with aggravated child neglect and arson
The vehicle was totaled in the fire, cops said. Alicia allegedly tried to run away when she noticed her car was on fire. Meanwhile, the cause of the fire has not been ascertained.
The mother has additionally been charged with grand theft twice, firstly for shoplifting about $1,000 worth of merchandise at a Target in 2017 and secondly for allegedly stealing $1,500 in gift cards from the 7-11 where she worked in 2018.
Upon diving in deeper, authorities also found that she had outstanding charges against her in other countries for separate cases. Alicia reportedly has warrants for battery, and petty theft as well.
She is being held in Seminole County Jail on a $48,000 bond, jail records show. Her next scheduled court appearance is her arraignment on June 27.
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