Mother, Boyfriend Accused In Fire That Killed 3-Year-Old Greeley Girl
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4) - Arrest warrants have been issued after a young girl was killed in an overnight mobile home fire in Weld County.
The fire broke out around midnight off West 10th Street and 26th Avenue in Greeley.
Liliegh Kellenaers, 3, was killed in the fire. The other two victims -- mother Kristen Braig, 27, and her boyfriend, Dustin Blanchard, 32, who also lived in the home, were hospitalized for their injuries.
"Greeley investigators developed information and evidence regarding the incident. Information indicated Braig and Blanchard left Kellenaers by herself in the trailer for a period of time, during which the fire began and they returned to find the mobile home on fire," Sgt. Joseph Tymkowych with the Greeley Police Department said in a statement.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Braig and Blanchard for child abuse and criminal negligence resulting in death, a felony.
"I feel really, really bad for her especially now that I learned that her grandchild died," neighbor Judy Thomas said.
The fire also and damaged two other homes. Firefighters were able to get in under control in about 30 minutes.
"The wind was blowing and the flames were wanting to spread," Thomas said. "Just really grateful that the others got out and my prayers are with them," Thomas said.
Firefighters are not confirming if a space heater may have played a part in starting the fire as the investigation ongoing.
Thomas said she's just glad the loss of life wasn't greater.
"You know it's very, very scary because these places go up so fast and you can lose everything in a heartbeat," she said.
The home is considered a total loss.
Despite subfreezing temperatures, no firefighters were injured.
