Florida woman accused of leaving two children in car that caught fire while she was shoplifting

A woman is facing criminal charges, accused of leaving her two children in a car that caught fire while she was allegedly shoplifting.

Alicia Moore, 24, of Orlando in Florida, left her children inside the vehicle outside a shopping centre at around midday on 26 May, according to her arrest record.

She and an “unknown male” then allegedly headed into a department store and spent about an hour shoplifting while, outside, her car burst into flames.

When she saw her car on fire, she “dropped the stolen merchandise” and ran from the store, the report said.

The car, a 2016 Lincoln, was destroyed.

The children were helped to escape by members of the public and one suffered “several first-degree burns”, according to the report, which did not state the children’s ages.

Moore now faces charges of aggravated child neglect and arson, as well as unrelated charges of petty theft and assault and battery on a person over 65.

The cause of the car fire is unknown, but the arrest report explained the charge of arson by saying Moore’s neglect contributed to the children’s injuries and “the fire occurred during the commission of a felony by Moore”.

Moore’s bond is set at $20,000 (£16,000) and she is due to be arraigned in court on 27 June, having entered a not guilty plea on Friday.