Mother Charged in Death of Twin Daughters

A Houston woman is facing criminal charges in connection with the death of her 18-month-old twin daughters.

According to Harris County prosecutors, Lavera Moore left her daughters alone in their duplex.  Before leaving the home to go to the store, Moore turned on two oven stove burners for heat.  When Moore returned home that night, the duplex was on fire.  The two girls died in the blaze.

A Harris County grand jury indicted Moore on two counts of criminally negligent homicide.  If convicted, Moore could face six months to two years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Friends and neighbors say the incident was an unfortunate, tragic accident.

"The home did not have central heat. It was an older home. She was using the stove to keep the house warm on a very cold winter night," said community activist Quanell X. "It was an accident. It was just a bad lapse in judgment."

Henry Carroll, the girls' father and Moore's boyfriend, said, "It as tragic accident. I'm just here to show my support and our family is destroyed."

According to Quanell, Moore "is in a bad mental state of mind, as any mother would be who lost her children. She's doing her best to cope with family support."

Moore was bonded out of jail several hours after surrendering herself.

For more information, contact a criminal defense lawyer near you today!