Tulsa Mom, Grandpa Charged With Child Neglect After Kids Left Alone, Escape House Fire

Child neglect charges have been filed against the mother and grandfather of four children who were left home alone and had to escape a house fire.

Records show that Krystal Penheiro (aka Snell) and Lee Snell each have been charged with one count of child neglect.

The children – ages 1, 2, 5 and 10 -- escaped the house fire on Jan. 15. Authorities said the 5-year-old carried the 1-year-old to safety.

1/15/2016 Related Story: Children Home Alone Escape Tulsa House Fire; Mother Arrested For Child Neglect

Penheiro and Snell returned home about three hours after the fire.

"I'm afraid - I'm scared DHS is gonna throw me in jail for just leaving them for a while," Penheiro told reporters that day. "But the oldest one, 10 years old, is old enough to babysit for an hour.”

The children were taken to the hospital to be checked; the 2-year-old was admitted for smoke inhalation. They were transferred to DHS custody.

Fire investigators believe a space heater caused the fire.

Both Penheiro and Snell remain in the Tulsa County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond each.