US News
Miami woman faces child abuse and arson charges as immigration detainer is issued
Meliza Campos-Sanchez was arrested following an incident involving her children and a kitchen fire, prompting a court-ordered mental competency evaluation.
The short version
- Meliza Campos-Sanchez was arrested in Miami on child abuse, child neglect, and arson charges after allegedly pouring hot candle wax on her daughter and starting a kitchen fire.
- Following her arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer for Campos-Sanchez, who entered the U.S. without authorization in May 2022.
- A judge has ordered a mental competency evaluation for Campos-Sanchez after her defense team and family members raised concerns about her mental state.
Key facts
- Meliza Campos-Sanchez faces two counts of child neglect, one count of child abuse, and one count of arson stemming from an August 16 incident in Miami.[Fox News]
- Investigators allege that Campos-Sanchez uploaded videos online showing her pouring melted candle wax on herself and on the hand of her young daughter, and starting a fire with clothing and a lighter in her kitchen while her two children, ages 3 and 6, were inside.[Fox News]
- The criminal complaint notes that the child who had hot wax placed on her hand suffered no visible injuries.[Fox News]
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer with the Miami jail holding Campos-Sanchez, stating that she illegally entered the U.S. from Cuba through Florida in May 2022.[Fox News]
- A judge ordered two Spanish-speaking doctors to conduct a mental competency evaluation of Campos-Sanchez after her defense requested it and her husband and relatives reported concerns regarding her mental state and medication adherence.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Campos-Sanchez's legal defense has requested a mental competency evaluation, the results of which are pending and will determine whether she is competent to stand trial.[Fox News]