An Orlando woman, Alicia Moore, was apprehended by the police after her car caught fire with her two children inside while she was allegedly shoplifting from a store. The incident, which occurred on May 26 at the Oviedo Mall, has shocked the community and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the children involved.
According to the Oviedo Police, Moore parked her car outside the Dillard’s store at the Oviedo Mall and left her two children unattended inside the vehicle. Store security observed Moore and an unidentified man shoplifting for approximately an hour before they exited the store.
As Moore and the man were leaving the store, they noticed that the car was engulfed in flames. In a panic, Moore dropped the stolen merchandise and rushed towards her burning vehicle. However, it was the quick actions of Oviedo shoppers who came to the rescue of the children trapped inside the car.
The two children, who were able to escape the flaming car with the help of the brave shoppers, were immediately transported to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. They suffered first-degree burns on their faces and ears as a result of the fire.
Following the incident, Moore was arrested by the Orlando Police for outstanding warrants unrelated to this incident. While in custody, she was charged with neglect of a child with great bodily harm and first-degree arson. Due to the fire occurring during the commission of a felony, she is also facing an arson charge.
The cause of the car fire has not yet been determined by investigators. However, they have concluded that if Moore had not been neglectful, the children would likely not have been injured in the incident.
Moore is currently being held without bond at the Orange County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
