2 sets of twin boys die in house fire while mom was out shopping, prosecutors say
(Gray News) – A mother in the U.K. is on trial after prosecutors allege that she left her two sets of twins home alone to go shopping, leading to the children’s deaths.
According to several local outlets, including BBC, The Times U.K. and Sky News, police said 29-year-old Deveca Rose was charged with four counts of manslaughter and child cruelty.
Police and prosecutors said Rose left her two sets of twin boys, ages 4 and 3, home alone while she went shopping in December 2021.
The house caught fire while Rose was gone and killed all four children.
Officials identified the boys as 4-year-old twins Bryson and Kyson Hoath and 3-year-old twins Logan and Leyton Hoath.
BBC reports the fire started by either a discarded cigarette or upturned tea light, and the flames spread quickly because of the large amount of trash and waste inside the home.
The Guardian reported that the home’s floors were covered in trash 8 inches deep.
Neighbors who heard the children’s screams tried to help, but the fire was too intense for them to enter the home, BBC reported.
The Guardian also reported that the house was locked so the children could not escape.
Prosecutors also said the family was known to social services, but their case was closed three months before the fire.
Sky News reported all four children were pronounced dead at the hospital. Their causes of death were listed as inhalation of fire fumes.
Rose was officially charged in November 2023, according to police.
Prosecutors said Rose frequently left her children home alone.
Her trial is still underway.
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