A woman is being charged with child abuse after starting an apartment fire while her children were inside. According to court documents, on Feb. 7, Yailasha Smith, 28, attempted to kill both herself and her children by setting her apartment on fire. Officers responded to a suicide call for service on Feb. 7 at 12901 Central Ave. NE, Apartment 240.Smith allegedly told her neighbor that she was going to kill herself and her kids. The caller could see smoke coming from outside the apartment, and Smith said she had to do this and was sorry for her children.When arrested, Smith told police that she dropped her lighter fluid and her son had spilled her lighter fluid. Court documents state that a UNMH doctor who examined the children said they smelled like lighter fluid. Witnesses say they also heard Smith running around before the fire, saying she was going to set the whole place on fire and take everyone with her. A neighbor reported smelling fire and smoke. Officers located and removed the children from the apartment, who were found lying several feet outside the bathroom. Smoke and fire damage were also found near the bathroom area of Smith’s studio apartment.
A woman is being charged with child abuse after starting an apartment fire while her children were inside.
According to court documents, on Feb. 7, Yailasha Smith, 28, attempted to kill both herself and her children by setting her apartment on fire.
Officers responded to a suicide call for service on Feb. 7 at 12901 Central Ave. NE, Apartment 240.
Smith allegedly told her neighbor that she was going to kill herself and her kids. The caller could see smoke coming from outside the apartment, and Smith said she had to do this and was sorry for her children.
When arrested, Smith told police that she dropped her lighter fluid and her son had spilled her lighter fluid. Court documents state that a UNMH doctor who examined the children said they smelled like lighter fluid.
Witnesses say they also heard Smith running around before the fire, saying she was going to set the whole place on fire and take everyone with her. A neighbor reported smelling fire and smoke.
Officers located and removed the children from the apartment, who were found lying several feet outside the bathroom. Smoke and fire damage were also found near the bathroom area of Smith’s studio apartment.
