HOUSTON, March 31 (UPI) -- Felony murder charges were filed against the owner of a West Houston child-care facility after four toddlers burned to death, police investigators said.
Jessica Tata, 22, was arraigned last week on manslaughter charges, but prosecutors Wednesday upgraded the four counts to felony murder, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Tata returned from shopping at a nearby store Feb. 24 to find smoke billowing from her home business, Jackie's Child Care. Four children -- 16-month-old Elias Castillo, 19-month-old Elizabeth Kajoh, 20-month-old Kendyll Stradford and Shomari Leon Dickerson, 3 -- died in the blaze. Three children survived with injuries.
Tata refused to speak with investigators at the hospital when she was treated. She later fled to Nigeria. Authorities extradited Tata to the United States and charged her with manslaughter and child abandonment.
The charges were increased when investigators revealed the fire was caused when a pan of oil ignited on a stove burner that had been left on.
Tata is being held in the Harris County Jail without bail and faces arraignment on the murder charges Friday.
