Two Kids Died on Fire While Mom is Out Partying
GRACE: And live, West Alexandria, a blazing fire burns a family home to the ground. But it`s only in the early morning hours when mommy rolls up from a night of partying that mom of two, Chastity Hall, tells firefighters, her two little children are in that home. Malachi and Malea, both dead while mommy out partying and getting totally drunk.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have two children that we believe died in the fire.</s>UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: When crews got to the 3400 Block of 35 East, the floor of the home had already collapsed. Firefighters had no idea there might be people inside.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Hall was charged with two counts of felony child endangering.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do I think there`s should be more? Yes. Hopefully, she ends up being more because so she deserve. She left her kids home alone.</s>GRACE: With me 1st Two Fire Chief Jeff Shaper with the West Alexandria Fire Department. Chief, thank you for being with us.</s>JEFF SHAFER, WEST ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF: Thank you.</s>GRACE: Chief, I`ve handled a lot of arson cases, which are difficult because first you got to prove there was actually a crime. That it wasn`t an accident. You were there at the scene of the fire. What did you observe, Chief Shafer?</s>SHAFER: Well, upon arrival, we encountered a single story residential fully involved. The fire had reached the roof and the entire roof and floor had already collapsed.</s>GRACE: How long do you think it took for that to happen?</s>SHAFER: I`m thinking that the fire had to have a start of a good hours or so before arrival.</s>GRACE: Were you there, Chief Shafer, when the mom rolls in?</s>SHAFER: Yes. Actually, we were approved, we`re just mopping up and a car pulled in the driveway and she got out screaming that my kids were in there. At that time, I grabbed her and looked at her and I asked her if her children were still in there. And she said, yes. So yes.</s>GRACE: Well, the place was already being -- did you say mopped up when the mom shows up?</s>SHAFER: Yes. Well, we were actually rolling hose and actually, my mutual aid crews and our crews were getting ready to return to station.</s>GRACE: With me is Melissa Neeley, anchor with "WLW." Melissa, what more can you tell us?</s>MELISSA NEELEY, WLW ANCHOR: Well, we know that earlier that evening, Chastity Hall went to her parents` home. And it was at that time she first left the two children a home alone. And their home was like five miles away from where she lived. And she didn`t return until 2:00 o`clock in the morning. Then when she saw they were sleeping, she decided that she would put on her makeup and go out and party. And then, we know that she was at two bars and she did not return home until almost 7:00 o`clock in the morning. And that is when she came home to the devastation.</s>GRACE: With me, Dr. Vincent DiMaio, forensic pathologist renounced medical examiner out of San Antonio. Dr. DiMaio, will we be able to tell if these two children died of smoke inhalation or were they burned to death?</s>DR. VINCENT DIMAIO, M.D., FORMER CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER, BEXAR COUNTY, FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: Most likely, they died of smoke inhalation. Because the smoke gets to you before the fire. They`ll do an analysis of the blood for carbon monoxide and examine the lungs for soot.</s>GRACE: And Robert Rowe, how would be able to tell if it was arson or if it was -- the fire started innocently?</s>ROBERT ROWE, FIRE EXPERT: Well, you know, I conduct interviews with the occupants -- not the occupants but family and neighbors will be key -- a key factor in the determination as to the cause of the fire, whether it`s accidental or arson.</s>GRACE: Chief Shafer, could you tell that the mom smell like alcohol?</s>SHAFER: I actually, at that point, Nancy, I was -- my focus was entirely on the children. I -- my medic crews did observe or smell alcohol on her breath.</s>GRACE: Chief Shafer, I feel just so, so bad for the children and for your firefighters. Everyone, let`s stop and remember American hero, Army Captain Jason Hamill, 31, Salem, Connecticut. Studied engineering, UConn, loved renovating his home. Was one of a set of triplets. Parents Richard and Sharon, three siblings, widow Karen. Jason Hamill, American Hero. A special good night from friends Ruth, Wendy and Sharon. Aren`t they beautiful? Everyone, I`ll see you tomorrow night, 8:00 sharp Eastern. Until then, good night, friend. END