Belvidere woman faces charges for child abandonment after kids start house fire

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — A Belvidere woman is facing charges of child abandonment after three juveniles were left alone and set a house on fire on Saturday.

Around 2 p.m., on April 5th, the Belvidere Fire Department was called to the 400 block of West 5th Street for a blaze that started outside the house. The fire spread to the back of the home.

No occupants of the home were injured, but one firefighter was injured while putting out the fire, officials said.

Belvidere Police said two dogs were rescued from inside the house.

Authorities said witnesses identified 3 juveniles who were seen “lighting things on fire” outside the house before the fire started.

Investigators said the juveniles were playing with lighters.

One child was taken into protective custody and revealed a “lack of parental supervision” at the home when the fire started.

Crystal Murphy, 36, now faces the charge of Child Abandonment.

She faces up to 3 years in prison, if convicted.