Mom gets $300k bond after 4 unattended children hospitalized in house fire

MCALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Four children who were left unattended are hospitalized after an overnight fire broke out in a McAllen home. Their mother is being charged in the case.

McAllen firefighters responded to the house fire on 9th Street and Hackberry Avenue at approximately 1:36 a.m. Friday.

Upon arrival, firefighters located four kids and one dog inside the home, according to McAllen Fire Chief Juan Gloria.

Firefighters were unable to locate a parent or a guardian inside the home during the time of the fire.

The age of all five children ranged between 4 to 12 years old, according to Gloria.

The oldest of the five children, a 12-year-old, was able to escape the fire uninjured.

The remaining four children, ages 4 to 10, were found inside the home unconscious and carried out of the home.

The dog died at the scene, Gloria said.

Two children were transported to a local hospital. The remaining two are in critical condition and have been transported to a hospital in San Antonio.

Gloria says the main concern for the children is lung damage and respiratory issues.

The mother of the children, Maria Helena Sierra Martinez, is in custody of McAllen police.

Martinez was arraigned Friday afternoon on five counts of child endangerment. Her bond was set at $60,000 for each count. Her total bond amount is $300,000.

The McAllen Fire Marshals are at the scene to investigate the cause of fire.

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