Miami Mom Charged With Arson And Child Abuse After Wax Incident

Meliza Campos-Sanchez faces severe charges including child abuse, child neglect, and arson after authorities say she poured hot wax on a young daughter and started a fire inside her Miami home.

The incident occurred on August 16 at a residence in the city. Deputies from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office responded to an intentional kitchen fire that same Sunday. An investigation revealed the defendant was a social media influencer with roughly 87,000 Instagram followers who had previously posted videos showing her pouring melted wax on herself and her children.

One video showed her dancing in the kitchen before igniting clothing with a lighter. A criminal complaint states she allegedly told two girls ages three and six not to be scared before dropping hot candle wax onto one child's hand. The affidavit notes the child suffered no visible injuries from that specific act. Another child reportedly told detectives they watched their mother burn a shirt while inside the house.

Officers did not interview Campos immediately after her arrest because she was sedated. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center the day following her capture. Federal officials want local authorities to hold her until ICE can take custody.

Campos entered the United States illegally through Florida in May 2022 under the Biden administration. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that without these open-border policies, criminals like this woman would never have been able to enter the country. The agency is working with Florida partners to ensure her removal after she faces justice.

She will undergo a court-ordered mental competency evaluation involving two Spanish-speaking doctors. Her defense requested this assessment during her initial court appearance. Relatives said she had been prescribed medication but stopped taking it. Her husband also told police he was worried about her mental state and sought help previously.