A Cuban immigrant, Meliza Campos-Sanchez, faces multiple charges including child abuse, child neglect, and arson after allegedly pouring hot wax on her daughter and starting a fire in her Miami home.
Details of the Incident
Authorities charged Campos-Sanchez, a social media influencer with 87,000 Instagram followers, due to an August 16 incident. Police reports reveal she uploaded videos showing herself pouring melted candle wax on her daughters, ages 3 and 6. She allegedly sang and danced in the kitchen while igniting clothing with a lighter. Although her daughter suffered no visible injuries, the incident raised significant concerns.
An arson-squad detective confirmed that one child had witnessed her mother starting a fire by burning a shirt. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of an intentional kitchen fire on Sunday, according to the criminal complaint. Upon arrest, officers did not interview Campos due to her sedated state.
Legal Proceedings
Following her arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Campos at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. ICE aimed to prevent her release without notifying federal immigration officials to enable potential custody.
A DHS spokesperson criticized the Biden administration’s border policies allowing her entry.
In her initial court appearance, Campos’ defense requested a competency evaluation. The judge ordered assessments by two Spanish-speaking doctors. The evaluation came after her husband reported concerns over her mental health.
Campos had reportedly stopped taking prescribed medication, raising concerns from her relatives.
Fox News Digital reached out to her court-appointed attorney for comment.