A woman from Iowa has been taken into custody after reportedly leaving her two young kids unattended in an apartment that subsequently went up in flames.
Early on Nov. 11, around 4:30 a.m., the North Liberty Fire Department was called to an apartment fire on Rachel Street. Two individuals were transported to a local hospital following the fire, but there were no other injuries reported. Two children, aged 3 and 5, were found alone in the second-floor apartment where the fire started.
After an investigation, Brittany Airhart, 29, was taken into custody and faces charges of neglect.
Officials have stated that the fire began in the apartment where the two children were unattended. It seems that a child ignited a fire in the fireplace, and with a basket of clothes close by, the flames were able to spread. A fire prompted the evacuation of the entire building, although the sprinklers had already put out much of the flames by the time firefighters reached the location.
Firefighters discovered the children and their dog safe in the bedroom of their apartment, successfully rescuing them all. The children were taken to the hospital, but they were unharmed.
Airhart reportedly informed the police that she thought a babysitter would arrive at her home shortly after her departure to pick up the children. She reportedly acknowledged that she did not check in with the babysitter to verify their arrival.
Airhart faces serious charges related to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.