Cuban Immigrant Faces Charges of Child Abuse and Arson in Miami

A Cuban immigrant, Meliza Campos-Sanchez, is facing serious charges, including child abuse, child neglect, and arson, in a case that has captured the attention of authorities in Miami. According to law enforcement, Campos-Sanchez allegedly poured hot wax on one of her daughters and started a fire in her home on August 16.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deliberate fire inside a Miami kitchen, as noted in the criminal complaint acquired by Fox News Digital. Campos-Sanchez, a social media influencer with a significant following of 87,000 on Instagram, reportedly posted videos where she appeared to pour melted candle wax on herself and at least one of her daughters’ hands. In addition, a different video allegedly shows her singing and dancing in the kitchen before setting clothing on fire with a lighter.

The complaint details that Campos-Sanchez instructed her daughters, aged 3 and 6, “not to be scared” before putting hot candle wax on one of their hands. Fortunately, the incident left no visible injuries. Moreover, one daughter reportedly informed an arson detective that she and her sibling witnessed their mother burn a shirt, starting a fire while they were inside the home.

Following her arrest, Campos-Sanchez did not respond to interviews because she was sedated. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that ICE lodged an immigration detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day after her arrest. They asked local officials to alert federal immigration authorities prior to her potential release, enabling ICE to take her into custody.

A DHS spokesperson expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s border policies, indicating that such policies allowed Campos-Sanchez to enter the United States through Florida in May 2022. They emphasized the need to ensure she faces justice and is removed from the country if convicted.

During her initial court appearance, her defense team requested a mental competency evaluation. The judge agreed, ordering evaluations by two Spanish-speaking doctors. Campos-Sanchez’s family has raised concerns about her mental health, revealing that she had been prescribed medication but ceased taking it. Her husband had previously sought help due to concerns about her mental state and even involved the police.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Campos-Sanchez’s court-appointed attorney for comments on the case.