ELIAS CASTILLO - 16 months - (Feb 2011) / Convicted: Jessica Tata - Houston TX

A day care operator accused of leaving the children she
was watching alone when a fire broke out at the facility has been
charged with manslaughter in the deaths of four of them, federal
officials said Friday.


The U.S. Marshals Service announced in a news release that the new
indictments were handed down Thursday by a grand jury in Houston. She
had already been charged with seven counts of reckless injury to a child
and three counts of abandoning a child.
Authorities believe Tata, 22, a U.S. citizen, fled to Nigeria before she could be charged in the case.
Investigators say Tata was shopping and had left the children she was
taking care of alone on Feb. 24 when the fire began. They say
surveillance video shows she was shopping at a nearby Target store at
the time.
Investigators believe the fire was started by a stove top burner that
had been left on. Tata told investigators the fire started in the
kitchen while she was in the bathroom.
The blaze also injured three other children. Two of the injured
children remained hospitalized in good condition Friday at Shiners
Hospital for Children in Galveston.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41919753/ns/us_news/

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/04/day-care-operator-jessica-tata-charged-in-fire-that-killed-4/?icid=maing|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk1|48497

Day Care Operator Charged in Fire That Killed 4

Juan A. Lozano AP

HOUSTON - Jessica Tata, a Houston day care operator accused of leaving
the children she was watching alone when a fire broke out at the
facility, has been charged with manslaughter in the deaths of four of
them, federal officials said Friday.



usmarshals.gov

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for Jessica Tata, who's believed to have fled to Nigeria.

The U.S. Marshals Service announced in a news release that the new
indictments were handed down Thursday by a grand jury in Houston. She
had already been charged with seven counts of reckless injury to a
child and three counts of abandoning a child.

Authorities believe Tata, 22, a U.S. citizen, fled to Nigeria before she could be charged in the case.

Investigators say Tata was shopping and had left the seven children she
was taking care of alone on Feb. 24 when the fire began. They say
surveillance video shows she was at a nearby Target store at the time.

Attempts by The Associated Press to contact Tata's family in person and
by phone at multiple addresses and telephone listings have been
unsuccessful.

Investigators believe the fire was started by a stove top burner that
had been left on. Tata told investigators the fire started in the
kitchen while she was in the bathroom.

The blaze also injured three other children. Two of the injured
children remained hospitalized in good condition Friday at Shiners
Hospital for Children in Galveston.

The U.S. Marshals Service, which is leading the search for Tata, has
put the day care operator on its list of the 15 most wanted fugitives
and has offered a reward of up to $25,000.

Interpol, the international police agency, has alerted its member
countries, including Nigeria, telling them that Tata is being sought by
the United States.

While the new manslaughter charges have the same possible punishment as
reckless injury to a child, up to 20 years in prison, they could help
authorities with the extradition process if Tata is found and detained
in Nigeria.

While reckless injury to a child and child abandonment are not
necessarily covered by the extradition treaty between the United States
and Nigeria, manslaughter is covered, said Douglas McNabb, a Houston
attorney who specializes in international extradition law.

The owner of the Texas daycare center in which four children died
in a fire has been placed on the 15 Most Wanted list.

As of Friday, Texas Daycare Center owner, Jessica Rene Tata
(22) was added to the US Marshall’s “Most Wanted” list with a $25,000
bounty on her head. On February 24, 2010, seven children were trapped
inside a blazing daycare center (Jackie’s Child Care) operated by Tata.
The following day, investigators of the Houston fire department
attempted twice to contact her regarding the fire at the in-home center.
Tata refused to answer questions at first and then referred the
investigators to an attorney. A US Marshals task force discovered that
Tata had flown to Georgia on Sunday (February 27th). Currently, it is
believed that Tata, a US citizen has fled to Nigeria, where she is known
to have relatives.
Interpol has issued a red notice to member countries (including Nigeria)
informing them that Tata is being sought by the US.
On Thursday, Tata was indicted by a Harris County grand jury on four
counts of manslaughter regarding the deaths of the children left in her
care, as well as, six counts of reckless injury to a child and three
counts of abandoning a child under 15. Charges have now been amended to
include unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.“You can run, but you can’t hide.
God knows where you are. What
you need to do is….take up your responsibility. Come forward. If not,
God will dispose you and won’t be long before be back in this country
and you’re going to have to face everything that you have to deal with,”
stated Glen Price, the grandfather of 3 year old Shomari Dickerson (who died in the fire).
As of Friday, investigators were made known that Tata was indeed a
flight risk, and no action was taken on their part. Her attorney has
ceased all communication with authorities regarding the case and Ms. Tata.
On the day of the tragedy, Tata was captured on surveillance footage
shopping at a Target (where she drove to) at the time that the in home
day care center went up in flames. Per Houston investigators for the
fire department, the children were left in the home with no [adult]
supervision with the stove on. According to Houston Fire Department
arson investigator, Thomas Wood, believes that the fire [likely] began
due to a pot of oil that was left atop an electric stove top that was
left on. A definitive source/cause of the fire will be determined and
made known at the conclusion of the investigation.
Originally, Tata said the fire did indeed begin in the kitchen while she was
in the bathroom.“What she told us was not truthful,” stated Houston Police Chief
Terry Garrison. Garrison also admitted that he trusted Tata when she
said that she would speak to them regarding the fire. Investigators
initially believed Tata, who was visibly upset at the scene and at the
hospital, was a victim rather than a suspect. Investigators never viewed
Tata as a flight risk.
“Somewhere along the way, we have made a mistake. We’re going to
learn from our mistake. We’re not going to blame anybody. We’re not
going to make any excuses,” was the statement given via Garrison in regards
to Tata disappearing in the midst of the investigation.
Two neighbors of the facility, Geoffrey Deshano and John Chestnut,
stated shortly after Tata pulled into her driveway, they could hear her
screaming as she exited the car and approached the front door. The two
also commented to reporters that Tata’s car was full of groceries and
that is was them that placed the call to 911. Also, as the building
filled with smoke, Deshano and Chestnut tried to help the children.
Per District Attorney Pat Lykos,” if there is probable cause to
believe that a felony has been committed, an arrest should have been
made”. Investigators at the scene of the tragic fire believed that there
was enough probable cause to arrest Tata for neglect, there was no
arrest due to “her claim to be in the home during the fire, and lacking a
direct statement of guilt stopped them from arresting her on site,”
was the explanation given by Gabe Cortez (chief investigator of the Arson Division).
It has come to light that Tata lied on her Texas Department of Family
and Protective Services child care home application. She affirmed that
she had not “as an adult or a juvenile” pleaded guilty, admitted to or
had any judgment against her involving “any felony”. On December 10,
2002 Tata set a fire at Taylor High School in Katy, TX. Tata served
three years probation after admitting to the arson (which is a
second-degree felony) and was considered an “adjudicated delinquent” in
2003. (In Texas children are tried in juvenile court, which is
considered civil; therefore they are not convicted, just merely found to
be delinquent). She was also ordered to complete an anger management
class and a ‘Firestoppers’ program. It has yet to be confirmed whether
she completed the courses almost a decade ago.
Per the agency, juvenile records are consulted during the mandatory background checks that are conducted. “Our
criminal background checks of Jessica Tata do not show any arson
convictions/dispositions of any kind. A check was done at the time of
her registration as an operator of ‘Jackie’s Day Care’, and we have run
two checks since the fire,” was the statement given via Patrick Crimmins (Agency spokesperson).
To add [additional] insult to injury, Tata’s brother Ron solicited
donations after the fire that took the lives of four small children and injured three.

Read more at Suite101: 15 Most Wanted now Includes Texas Daycare Owner http://www.suite101.com/content/15-most-wanted-now-includes-texas-daycare-owner-a356086#ixzz1FpNpMkDg

Snipped from above article;
On December 10, 2002 Tata set a fire at Taylor High School in Katy, TX. Tata served three years probation after admitting to the arson (which is a second-degree felony) and was considered an “adjudicated delinquent” in 2003.

Posters note; I can't believe this second fire Tata is responsible for is a coincidence. Everybody knows not to leave oil on the stove as it will explode into flames. I think this little firebug knew that when she went shopping. I think prosecutors were too hasty in charging her with manslaughter as it could be a case of 1st degree murder IMO.

The brother of a woman
accused in a Texas day care fire that killed four children says his
sister has turned herself in to U.S. officials in Nigeria.


Ron Tata tells The Associated Press that relatives in Nigeria
informed him early Saturday that Jessica Tata went to the U.S. consulate
because "it would be the right thing to do."
U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Jeff Carter says the 22-year-old
woman wasn't in the agency's custody. Emails sent to the U.S. consulate
in Nigeria weren't immediately returned.
Authorities believe Jessica Tata fled to Nigeria two days after a
fire erupted at her home day care center in Houston on Feb. 24.
Investigators believe the children had been left alone.
Tata is charged with manslaughter, injury to a child and child abandonment.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42168730/ns/us_news/

(CBS/KHOU) HOUSTON - Jessica Tata, the owner of a Houston home day
care center where a fire killed four children, was taken to the Harris
County Jail early Tuesday morning after returning on a flight from
Nigeria to face charges, officials said. Tata
fled to Nigeria on Feb. 26, two days after a fire at the home day care
killed four children, and injured three others. She initially told
investigators she was in the bathroom when the fire started in the
kitchen. However, investigators said Tata had left the children alone in
the house while she went shopping at Target, CBS affiliate KHOU reports. The fire was believed to have been started by a stovetop burner that had been left on, officials said. Tata
was charged with manslaughter, reckless injury to a child, abandoning a
child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, reports the station. Tata
was arrested Saturday in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, by Interpol and U.S.
Department of State Diplomatic Security Agents. Tata departed Lagos,
Nigeria on Sunday.A private plane carrying Tata landed at Hooks
Airport in Houston early Tuesday morning. Then U.S. Marshals drove Tata
to the Harris County Jail inmate processing center in downtown Houston,
the station reports. Two dozen law enforcement officers
surrounded the jail as three vehicles pulled up carrying Tata and the
deputies, according to the station. The 22-year-old
woman held her head down as she exited an SUV with officers at her side.
She offered no comment as reporters asked her if she had anything to
say to the victims' families, the station reports. After
Tata is processed she is expected to be placed in a single cell for her
safety at the Baker Street Jail, according to KHOU. The
U.S. Marshals Service led the search for Tata and placed her on the 15
most wanted fugitives list with a reward of up to $25,000.
"When
Jessica Tata chose to flee from the consequences of her actions that
left four innocent children dead, we made her capture a top priority"
said Geoffrey Shank, U.S. Marshals Service Acting Assistant Director of
Investigative Operations Division, to KHOU.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20045955-504083.html

Exclusive: Day care owner breaks her silence

Thursday, April 21, 2011


HOUSTON (KTRK) -- For the first time since the deadly fire at her day care, Jessica Tata is speaking from behind bars, and she's talking only to Eyewitness News.
On Wednesday we spoke to Jessica Tata at the jail on Baker Street -- her home since March 22. She is being held in the first floor medical ward and is still in isolation. She was surprisingly talkative and in good spirits although it's clear what happened -- the babies' deaths and injuries -- are weighing on her.

The last time we saw Tata was a month ago. She was in court and all eyes were on her, though she never looked back. Victims' relatives rejoiced in her capture.

Darlene Price, great-aunt of the fire victims, said, "No more running for Jessica Tata."

Now we're learning more about the circumstances behind her arrest, her state of mind and what she's been doing isolated in jail all this time.

"I'm doing well," Tata said. "I pray a lot."

Eyewitness News spoke to the 23-year-old for about a half hour inside the Harris County Jail. She's separated from the rest of the jail population. She was in good spirits but remorseful and struggling with how to express it.

Tata said, "Sorry is not enough. You can only say sorry so many times."

Tata faces multiple criminal charges, including murder, stemming from the February fire at her day care in west Houston. Four children died and three others were injured. Investigators say Tata left the stove on and the children alone while she shopped at a nearby Target.

Two days later she boarded a flight to Nigeria and spent the next three and a half weeks a free woman. While US and international law enforcement officers say they were searching for Tata, she told us they never found her. Rather, she turned herself in to Nigerian authorities, who then turned her over to the US embassy.

The first glimpse Houstonians got of Tata stateside was in a wig. When she was brought shackled and handcuffed to the Harris County jail, it had been confiscated, revealing a shaved head.

"In my culture when women are in mourning, they shave their heads," Tata explained.

She says she was grieving for the children.

Tata's brother and mother visit her often. She has not seen any of the children's parents.

"I would love to talk to them, but can't," Tata said. "I've been instructed not to talk to anyone involved in the case."

She also says jailers screen her visitors.

Tata would not tell us why she fled to Nigeria or why she left the kids that day. She knows what people think of her. Her attorney has said there is more to her story. She has pleaded not guilty and waits for her day in court.

Among the charges Tata faces are murder, reckless injury to a child and abandoning a child. She tells us her mother has two jobs to pay for her high profile defense attorney. Her next court date is May 12.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8085246

Day care owner in fatal fire wants lower bond
May 12, 2011

HOUSTON — An attorney for a woman charged with murder after a fire at her Houston home day care killed four children asked a judge on Thursday to reduce her $1.1 million bond, which he called "illegally excessive."

Jessica Tata is currently jailed on bonds for nine charges related to the Feb. 24 fire that also injured three children. The bonds, which together total $1.1 million, were set following her capture after she fled to Nigeria after the fire and became an international fugitive for nearly a month.

In a motion filed during a court hearing Thursday, Tata's attorney, Mike DeGeurin, asked that her bond be reduced to $50,000.

"The deaths and injuries resulting from the fire were unintended," DeGeurin said in his motion. "Bail in the present amount ... is excessive and amount to no bail."

DeGeurin argued in his motion that a standard bond in Harris County for intentional murder is $50,000 and that felony murder, which she is charged with, relates to where the loss of life was not intended.

State district Judge Marc Brown set a May 27 hearing on the motion. Tata wasn't in court Thursday.

Authorities believe Tata, 23, left all seven children she was caring for alone while she went shopping, and the fire was ignited by a stove-top burner that was left on.

As fire department investigators worked to convince prosecutors to file charges, Tata boarded a plane two days after the blaze and fled to Nigeria. Tata, who was born in the U.S. but has Nigerian citizenship, was returned to the U.S. on March 21.

In addition to four murder charges, Tata is also charged with two charges of reckless injury to a child and three charges of abandoning a child.

Prosecutor Steve Baldassano and DeGeurin declined to speak to reporters after the hearing.

In his motion, DeGeurin said Tata does not have the financial ability to pay her current bail. He also described her as coming from "a good family."

"Her mother is a licensed vocational nurse, her brother is a real estate agent, one sister is a doctor and the other a registered nurse. Her father, educated as (an) engineer, works in real estate in Nigeria," DeGeurin said.

The mother of one of the four children who died in the fire as well as the mother of one of the injured children have sued Tata, accusing her of negligence.


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Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7562088.html#ixzz1Md4edHNL

I say, Deny this motion. She has already proven to be a flight risk. She could be out the door and on a plane for 5K and a ticket....

AP Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle. IMAGE: Jessica Tata 6 hr ago By Juan A. Lozano of Associated Press
Jessica Tata, 24, was convicted last week in connection with the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo.

— A Texas woman was sentenced to 80 years Tuesday for her felony murder conviction in the death of one of four children killed in a fire at her home day care in Houston.

Jessica Tata, 24, was convicted last week in connection with the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo. Authorities say Elias was one of seven children whom Tata left unsupervised at her home while she went to a nearby Target store. Prosecutors say she left a pan of oil cooking atop a stovetop burner and that this ignited the February 2011 blaze. Three other children were seriously injured.

Along with the prison sentence, Tata was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

She still faces three more counts of felony murder in relation to the other children who died, and three counts of abandoning a child and two counts of reckless injury to a child in relation to three who were hurt.

During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors argued Tata was an irresponsible day care owner who left the children she was caring for alone on multiple occasions and who ran an unclean facility. Tata's family and friends told jurors she was a good person who loved kids.

They asked the jury for mercy.

Tata's attorneys argued she never intended to hurt the children, who ranged in age from 16 months to 3 years old, and that she tried to save them. But prosecutors did not need to show she intended to harm the children, only that the deaths occurred because she put them in danger by leaving them alone. Under Texas law, a person can be convicted of felony murder if he or she committed an underlying felony and that action led to the death.

Tata fled to Nigeria in the wake of the fire but was captured after about a month, returned to the U.S. in March 2011 and has remained jailed since.

She was born in the U.S. but has Nigerian citizenship.

During Tata's trial, which began Oct. 24, surveillance video was presented that showed her shopping at Target just before the fire occurred. A former Target manager told jurors that Tata did not seem to be in a hurry after realizing she had left the stove top burner on while the kids were at the day care.

Neighbors testified that they heard the children crying during their unsuccessful attempts to rescue them from the blaze. Parents of the children who died or were injured told jurors they had trusted Tata, believing she was qualified.

Defense attorneys presented expert testimony to argue that faulty kitchen equipment may have sparked the fire.

www.startribune.com/nation/180134161.html