California Mom Arrested After Tying 3-Year-Old Son Inside Burning Home

A 47-year-old woman was arrested Monday after authorities found her 3-year-old son tied to a bed with a plastic bag over his head inside their burning Santa Paula apartment.

The Ventura County Fire Department rescued Marciela Magana Ruiz and her son while dousing a working fire in their downstairs living room.

Ruiz was also tied to a bed while the boy was in another part of the home, said the Santa Paula Police Department.

Both transported to the Santa Paula Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, the post added.

After initiating a criminal investigation alongside arson investigators and a lengthy interview with the mother, detectives determined that Ruiz endangered the life of her son by tying his hands and placing a plastic bag over his head and leaving him inside a bedroom by himself. She was then arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Felony Child Endangerment with a $50,000 bail.

While Ruiz's motive is unknown, the Ventura County Star said initial reports from the scene pointed that the blaze might have been set intentionally.

The fire was contained after 6:30 p.m. after firefighters kept it from spreading beyond the first floor of the apartment and was later isolated to contents only and had not spread to the structure itself, said the outlet.

Detective Christopher Rivera said police investigators are awaiting a search warrant to enter the apartment to fast track their investigation.

He also said that he “would not be surprised” if more charges are to be pressed on Ruiz when they gather additional evidence from the apartment.

The boy is currently under the custody of Child Protection Services, which is also doing a “parallel investigation to determine permanent placement.”