2 Women Charged With Child Endangerment After Fire Kills 2 Kids
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two Chicago women have been charged in connection with the fire-related deaths of two small children over the weekend in West Englewood.
Britany Meakens, 22, and Tatiana Meakens, 23, are each charged with two felony counts of endangering a child, resulting in death, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the life and health of a child.
Police say Tatiana Meakens is the mother of Javaris Davis, 2, and Jariyah Meakens, 3, both of whom died in a fire that broke out early Saturday at a residence in the 6400 block of South Paulina. Other children were present when the fire broke out – possibly from a hot plate that was being used for heat.
Britany Meakens is an aunt of the deceased children and resided at the same residence.
Authorities had been investigating whether the children had been left alone when the fire occurred.
Both women were scheduled to appear in court Monday.
The other children who lived at the residence were under the care of the state's child welfare agency.
