Day Care Operator Fled to Nigeria After a Fire Kills 4 Kids & Injuries 3 Others in Home Fire (1319 hits)
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011
By: The Associated Press
(AP) HOUSTON — A woman who fled to Nigeria after a fire at her Texas home day care center killed four children has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and other charges. Jessica Tata's attorney entered the plea during a hearing Wednesday in Houston. Tata didn't speak during the arraignment. The 22-year-old is facing 14 charges and is being held without bond. The manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Tata fled the U.S. two days after the Feb. 24 fire that also injured three children. Tata was taken into custody in Nigeria over the weekend, and was returned to the U.S. on Monday. Authorities believe Tata left the seven children alone to go shopping and that a stove-top burner that was left on ignited the blaze.
