A Cuban illegal immigrant in Miami is accused of child abuse, child neglect and arson after authorities said she poured hot wax on one of her young daughters and deliberately set a fire inside her home.
Meliza Campos-Sanchez faces two counts of child neglect, one count of child abuse and one arson charge in connection with an Aug. 16 incident, according to authorities. A judge has also ordered her to undergo a mental-competency evaluation.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies were called Sunday after receiving a report of an intentional kitchen fire at a Miami residence, according to a criminal complaint obtained by News Outlet.
Investigators later discovered that Campos-Sanchez, described as a social media influencer with 87,000 Instagram followers, had posted videos that appeared to show her pouring melted candle wax on herself and on the hands of at least one of her daughters. In another video, she allegedly sang and danced in the kitchen before using a lighter to set clothing on fire.
The complaint states that the two girls were 3 and 6 years old, and that Sanchez allegedly told them “not to be scared” before placing a drop of hot candle wax on one daughter’s hand. The affidavit said the child did not have visible injuries from the incident. (Instagram/@melizacsanchez)
The complaint says Sanchez allegedly told the girls, ages 3 and 6, “not to be scared” before putting a drop of hot candle wax on one daughter’s hand. Authorities noted in the affidavit that the child showed no visible injuries.
One of the children allegedly told an arson-squad detective that she and her sister watched their mother burn a shirt, sparking a fire while they were still inside the home, according to the complaint.
After Campos-Sanchez was arrested, officers did not question her because she was sedated.
The Department of Homeland Security said Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after her arrest, asking local officials to notify federal immigration authorities before releasing her so ICE could potentially take her into custody.
Campos illegally entered the United States through Florida in May 2022 under the Biden administration, ICE said.
Meliza Campos-Sanchez has been charged with two counts of child neglect, cruelty toward child, child abuse and arson. ICE lodged a detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after she was arrested. (Miami-Dade County)
“This Cuban illegal alien is charged with child abuse and arsonafter she poured hot wax onto one of her own children and then lit a fire in her home,” said a DHS spokesperson. “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, criminals like this woman would have never been able to enter our country. ICE has lodged a detainer asking Miami officials to not release this criminal from jail. We will work with our partners in Florida to make sure she is removed from our country after she faces justice.”
In her initial court appearance, Campos’ defense sought a competency evaluation, and the judge ordered evaluations by two Spanish-speaking doctors.
Meliza Campos Sanchez is facing serious charges, including arson and child abuse. But on Friday, her family came to her defense, raising concerns about her mental health. (Instagram/@melizacsanchez)
The court-mandated mental health evaluation came after Campos’ husband said he had previously sought help and called police because he was concerned about her mental state and relatives said she had been prescribed medication but stopped taking it.
News Outlet has reached out to Campos’ court-appointed attorney for comment.
