Report: Mom out with boyfriend during fire that hospitalized children
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MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A McAllen mother who left her five children unattended as an overnight fire broke out inside her home, was with her boyfriend, according to a police report.
Maria Elena Sierra Martinez was charged on five counts of child endangerment after the fire left four out of the five children hospitalized.
McAllen firefighters responded to the fire at 1:36 a.m., Friday, August 16, at the 700 block of N. 19th St.
According to the police report, the fire was significant and “great amounts of smoke” were coming from the residence.
The oldest of the five children, a 12-year-old, was able to escape the fire uninjured and cried out to first responders for help.
With the help of the oldest sibling, firefighters were able to locate the remaining four kids who were trapped in a room, the report states.
The remaining four children, age 4 to 10, were found inside the home unconscious, carried out of the home and received CPR.
The oldest sibling told authorities Martinez left him in charge as she left the house to be with her boyfriend.
According to the report, Martinez was gone for one hour prior to the fire.
During the time of the fire, the 12-year-old left briefly to hunt for possums. When he returned, he saw smoke coming from his house.
The 12-year-old proceeded to run toward the house and asked his neighbors to contact 911.
Approximately one hour after the fire broke out, Martinez returned to the residence with her boyfriend. Martinez confirmed she was the mother of the five children and was detained at the scene.
Her boyfriend, Victor Eloy Cisneros, was arrested for public intoxication, the report adds.
Two of Martinez’s children remain at DHR Health in Edinburg while two are in critical condition at a hospital in San Antonio.
All four children have sustained serious bodily injuries, lung damage and respiratory issues, according to the report.
The children remain intubated and unstable.
Martinez was arraigned the day of the fire on five counts of child endangerment. Her bond was set at $60,000 for each count, totaling at $300,000.
McAllen authorities have yet to determine the cause of fire.
