Mom Left Children Alone When 1-Year-Old Died in Fire: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — Authorities in Milwaukee County say that the 1-year-old girl who died in a house fire over the weekend was left alone with her two siblings as their mother worked as an adult entertainer in Fond du Lac.

Quintella Owens, 31, has been charged with one count of child neglect resulting in death, and two misdemeanor counts of child neglect. According to court documents, Quintella Owens is currently being held in the Milwaukee County Jail.

According to officials in Milwaukee County, the Milwaukee Fire department responded to a home near 28th and Meinecke at about 10 p.m. Saturday for a report of a house fire.

According to multiple reports, her daughter was Quamyiia Owens, and she celebrated her first birthday in December. She was transported to the hospital with injuries from the fire, but did not survive. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner pronounced Quamyiia Owens dead early Sunday.

According to a WISN report, the baby's 4-year-old and 10-year-old siblings were able to exit the house to safety, and that Quintella Owens returned to the house at 12:20 a.m. after Quamyiia Owens died in the fire.

Fire investigators determined that they believe the fire started when children lit a stick of incense by using the stove. They then threw the smoldering incense into the trash can.

Image Via Milwaukee County Jail