Florida mom arrested for child neglect, arson after her car burst into flames with children inside as she shoplifted

A Florida woman has been arrested on child endangerment charges after her vehicle burst into flames with three young children inside while she was allegedly shoplifting inside a department store.

Alicia Moore, 24, was arrested on charges of child neglect with great bodily harm and first-degree arson on May 26, and was booked into jail on a $40,000 bond, according to Seminole County Police documents, WESH reports.



The incident took place in the Oviedo Mall parking lot when Moore's Tesla erupted into flames with three children inside as she was allegedly shoplifting at Dillard's.

Witnesses observed the fire and aided those trapped inside, according to documents.

Moore noticed her car engulfed in flames as she was making her exit with the stolen merchandise, but dropped the items on the way out. Authorities say she was allegedly shoplifting with an unidentified male companion for around one hour, according to the outlet.

All three children were transported to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital for medical treatment, with one child facing significant injuries, WFLA reports.

An arrest document obtained by WESH reveals that the injured child suffered "several first-degree burns, specifically to her face and ears."

According to investigators, the child would have been subjected to the serve injuries had Moore not shown neglect.

Moore pled not guilty to both child neglect and arson charges on Friday, WFLA reports.