A frantic 911 call alerted authorities to a backyard fire on Willow Ridge Street, but it wasn’t the flames that terrified neighbors—it was the screaming. Responding officers found a four-year-old girl badly burned and quickly rushed her to the hospital, where she remains in intensive care.
The child’s mother, a woman in her mid-twenties, was taken into custody. She appeared dazed and distressed, showing signs of severe psychological strain. Early reports suggest the incident may involve a mental health crisis, though investigators are still determining whether the act was intentional or accidental.
Neighbors described the mother as agitated and talking to herself earlier in the day, and family members expressed shock over the sudden escalation. Authorities are interviewing relatives, reviewing the scene, and involving mental health professionals to understand what led to the tragedy.
Child protective services is now ensuring the girl receives proper care and protection. Officials stress caution and patience as the investigation continues, noting the importance of evaluating both criminal and mental health factors.
The community remains shaken, grappling with the reality that such crises can unfold quietly, right next door, and authorities continue to seek any information that could clarify the events leading up to the incident.