A Miami mother was formally charged this week with child abuse, child neglect, and arson following an August 16 incident in which authorities allege she poured hot candle wax on her young daughters and set a fire inside their home.
Meliza Campos-Sanchez, a social media influencer with approximately 87,000 Instagram followers, is accused of two counts of child neglect, one count of child abuse, and one count of arson, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by investigators. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an intentional fire in the kitchen of a Miami residence on the evening of August 16.
During the investigation, authorities examined Campos-Sanchez’s social media activity and identified videos in which she appeared to pour melted candle wax on herself and at least one of her daughters. In a separate video, she was recorded singing and dancing in the kitchen before allegedly igniting clothing with a lighter, according to the complaint.
Court-Ordered Evaluation Pending
Campos-Sanchez was taken into custody and remains detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Following her arrest, she was sedated and did not speak with law enforcement officers, according to the complaint. A court-ordered mental-competency evaluation has been scheduled to determine her fitness to stand trial.
Children’s Accounts and Alleged Statements
According to the affidavit, one of the children, aged 6, told an arson-squad detective that she and her 3-year-old sister witnessed their mother burn a shirt, which ignited a fire in the kitchen. The complaint states that Campos-Sanchez told the girls, “not to be scared” before placing a drop of hot candle wax on one daughter’s hand. The child reportedly suffered no visible injuries from the incident.
Immigration Status and Federal Review
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed an immigration detainer with the correctional facility the day after Campos-Sanchez’s arrest. The detainer requested that local officials notify federal immigration authorities before any potential release, allowing ICE to take custody if applicable.
Background: Social Media Presence and Public Profile
Campos-Sanchez, who identifies as a social media influencer, maintained a public presence on Instagram prior to her arrest. Authorities noted that her online content included videos depicting interactions with her children, including instances where she appeared to apply candle wax to their hands. The complaint does not specify when these videos were recorded relative to the August 16 incident.
Legal and Procedural Next Steps
The case is currently under review by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. The outcome of the mental-competency evaluation will determine whether Campos-Sanchez proceeds to trial. If convicted, she faces potential penalties under Florida state law for child abuse, child neglect, and arson.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details regarding the investigation, citing the ongoing legal process. The children involved are under the care of child protective services, according to authorities.