Texas day care owner seen shopping as fatal fire began

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Texas day care owner seen shopping as fatal fire began

houston day care fire
Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle
(Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle)

WHAT: Surveillance video released Tuesday showed Jessica Tata, 22, shopping at a nearby Target store when a fire killed four children she was supposed to be watching alone at a Houston home day care center she ran.


HOW IT HAPPENED: Neighbors said Tata told them the fire started on a stovetop burner while she was in the bathroom. She was also seen driving up to the home and screaming as smoke poured out the front door.


WHAT’S BEING DONE: Tata apparently fled to her native Nigeria after being accused of abandoning the children in her care. Authorities are trying to locate her for extradition to face trial.

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URL: http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/daily-outrage/2011/03/texas-day-care-owner-seen-shopping-fatal-fire-began?category=44232