Mother Faces Abuse Charges in Fire that Injured Kids | News

LAS VEGAS -- The mother of three children who were injured in an apartment fire last week is facing felony child abuse charges.

Twenty-one-year-old Jessica Warthen is accused of leaving her children alone while visiting a friend on Feb. 15. The children, five years old and under, suffered smoke inhalation and were transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Several neighbors had said the woman was rarely at home and the children were often left to fend for themselves.

The fire started in a bedroom of the apartment. Firefighters believe the children were playing with matches or a lighter.