An Illinois woman faces multiple charges after her 4-year-old son died in a house fire while left alone for about 20 hours.
Aliannay P. Rodriguez, 21, is accused of involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment causing death, and child abandonment in the death of her son Christopher Alfaro-Rodriguez.
The fire occurred at a home in the 200 block of Dalton Avenue in Mundelein on March 23. Firefighters responded around 12:21 a.m. to heavy smoke and flames. They found the boy dead in the basement from smoke inhalation after an electrical issue sparked the blaze.
Rodriguez initially told investigators she had left briefly to get food. Evidence including video, location data, and witness statements showed she had been cleaning houses with her boyfriend for roughly 20 hours.
Rodriguez was arrested last week and taken to Lake County Jail. A judge denied a request to hold her until trial. Her next court date is set for Aug. 27.
