SOUTH CAROLINA — Eight children were found alone inside an apartment during a fire at what police say was an illegal daycare in South Carolina.
According to North Charleston police, officers and firefighters responded around 2:30 p.m. Thursday to a fire at the Arbor Square Apartments.
When emergency crews arrived, they found eight children inside the apartment without adult supervision. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported.
A short time later, the apartment’s resident, 29-year-old Janaina Ferreira, returned to the scene with several additional children, police said.
Investigators determined Ferreira had been operating an illegal daycare out of the apartment.
Authorities contacted the children’s parents and notified the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Ferreira was arrested and charged with eight counts of unlawful conduct toward a child. She was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center.
The North Charleston Police Department and North Charleston Fire Department are continuing to investigate the incident.
