A Florida mother whose car burst into flames with two children inside was reportedly shoplifting when the incident occurred, according to police.
Alicia Moore, 24, was arrested and is facing two felony charges after the blaze, which occurred on May 26, per NBC News. According to reports, both of Moore's young children survived the fire, but one of them was taken to hospital with first-degree burns to her ears and face.
Moore's car - later identified as a 2016 Lincoln - was parked at the Oviedo Mall in Oviedo, where she was allegedly shoplifting from Dillard's with an "unknown male" when her vehicle caught fire.
Reports claim that Moore dropped her items and rushed out of the department store when she saw that her car was engulfed in flames.
As a result of the incident, Sky News details that Moore is facing charges of aggravated child neglect and arson, as well as unrelated charges of petty theft and assault and battery on a person over 65.
The car was "completely totaled" by the flames, and one of the children attempted to escape the vehicle as the fire raged. Bystanders ultimately helped rescue both children before they were rushed to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital. The children's ages are unknown, per NBC News.
Moore was subsequently interviewed by police, but reportedly only gave her "biographical information" before requesting an attorney.
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office first arrested Moore on an unrelated outstanding warrant, before also charging her with aggravated child neglect and arson related to blaze while she was in custody that same day. Her outstanding warrant was for petty theft and assault and battery on a person over 65 years old in Sumter County, west of Orlando.
While the cause of the blaze is unknown, the arrest report detailed an arson charge, stating that Moore's neglect contributed to the children's injuries and "the fire occurred during the commission of a felony by Moore". Moore's bond is set at $20,000 and she is due to be arraigned in court on June 27. On Friday (June 2) she entered a not-guilty plea for the charges.
