Tulsa Mom, Grandpa Charged With Child Neglect After Kids Left Alone, Escape House Fire

<p>Child neglect charges have been filed against the mother and grandfather of four children who were left home alone and had to escape a house fire.</p>

Friday, January 22nd 2016, 3:32 pm

By: News On 6


Child neglect charges have been filed against the mother and grandfather of four children who were left home alone and had to escape a house fire.

Records show that Krystal Penheiro (aka Snell) and Lee Snell each have been charged with one count of child neglect.

The children – ages 1, 2, 5 and 10 -- escaped the house fire on Jan. 15. Authorities said the 5-year-old carried the 1-year-old to safety.

1/15/2016 Related Story: Children Home Alone Escape Tulsa House Fire; Mother Arrested For Child Neglect

Penheiro and Snell returned home about three hours after the fire.

"I'm afraid - I'm scared DHS is gonna throw me in jail for just leaving them for a while," Penheiro told reporters that day. "But the oldest one, 10 years old, is old enough to babysit for an hour.”

The children were taken to the hospital to be checked; the 2-year-old was admitted for smoke inhalation. They were transferred to DHS custody.

Fire investigators believe a space heater caused the fire.

Both Penheiro and Snell remain in the Tulsa County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond each.

 

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