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Could Criminal Charges Be Filed Against Parents of Fire Victims?
Posted: 05.04.2007 at 12:03 PM
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QUINCY, IL -- The parents of the children left at home during the two fatal Quincy fires last month may face possible legal consequences.
Viewers have been writing in to KHQA asking this same question and today the Adams County States Attorney Jon Barnard answered some of those questions.
Barnard said, "The question and concerns resulting from the tragedies are many. Public concern about how we care for our children is significant and among questions raised are those regarding the potential responsibility of a parent or parents of the children resulting in their deaths."
Barnard says the investigation is active and ongoing into the events surrounding the fire on 7th Street which killed 5 children all under the age of 11. He says all interviews have not been completed which are crucial to the case....and that no definitive answer as to whether charges can be filed until those interviews are completed.
Barnard also addressed the candle fire on 18th Street which killed a four year old boy left home alone. Barnard says evidence from that fire could support filing criminal charges against the parent involved. However neglect charges have not yet been filed.