Woman Convicted of Murder in Texas Day Care Fire

By: Associated Press

Updated: Wed 10:16 AM, Nov 14, 2012

HOUSTON -- A woman has been found guilty of murder in the death of one of four children killed in a fire at her home day care in Houston.

A jury found Jessica Tata guilty Tuesday of felony murder in the February 2011 death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo. She faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors say Tata left the children alone with a pan of oil atop a stove top burner while she went shopping. The fire also injured three other children.

Tata's attorneys argued that she had tried to save the children and produced an expert witness who said faulty kitchen equipment could have sparked the blaze.

Tata is also charged with felony murder in the other three deaths.

House OKs Major Changes to State Cancer Institute

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html

Woman Convicted of Murder in Texas Day Care Fire

AP Video