TULSA – A mother of four is spending the night behind bars after her children, two boys and two girls, escaped a fire while home alone Friday.
Krystal Penheiro and her father, Lee Snell, were arrested for child neglect. Police detectives and DHS are investigating allegations of unsafe living conditions at the home, which police say existed prior to the fire.
According to authorities, the children, who were between the ages of one and ten, left the home in north Tulsa, located at N. Lewis and east 48th Street, when the fire started. They went to a nearby neighbor’s home and called 911.
One of the boys was around the age of five and, police say, he had to carry the youngest out of the home.
Children left house as fire began. Went to neighbor's house down the street. He called 911 and watched the children until TFD arrived.
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) January 15, 2016
The Tulsa Fire Dept. says the guardians, the mother and grandfather, of the four children were no where to be found around 1 p.m. when they found the kids.
Later in the day, around 5 p.m., the mother was found. She told 2 Works for You that she left to get a paycheck and her father drive. She went on to say this was the first time she left the children home alone.
An officer just returned to the house. TPD still has had no contact with mother and are searching for her @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/u06MqUzGp7
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) January 15, 2016
Talked with the mother. Said she left to get her paycheck. Can't drive so her father left too to take her @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/hJ7b37tI8d
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) January 15, 2016
Right now, Tulsa fire officials suspect that a space heater caused the flames but they are still investigating the cause.
TFD reports fire is under investigation. But space heater appears to be the cause. EMSA just arrived. TPD has been called I'm told
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) January 15, 2016
Firefighters spoke with 2 Works for You saying that EMSA is checking on the children’s condition but so far, they seem physically fine. All four children were taken to a hospital as a precaution. The 2-year-old is being treated for smoke inhalation, while the other three were taken into emergency DHS custody.
Officer said second youngest was having a little breathing problem. Mother and grandfather lived in the house. Still no sign of them here
— Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) January 15, 2016
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