ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against Meliza Campos-Sanchez, the Miami mother charged with child abuse and arson after allegedly pouring hot wax on her daughter and setting a fire in her home.
Campos-Sanchez, 26, was arrested last Monday and is being held in a Miami-Dade jail on multiple charges including child neglect, child abuse and arson. The ICE detainer was issued the following day, according to the source article. She entered the United States illegally via Florida in May 2022, immigration officials claim.
A Homeland Security spokesperson issued a statement about the case. “This Cuban illegal alien is charged with child abuse and arson after she poured hot wax onto one of her own children and then lit a fire in her home,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson continued with political criticism of the prior administration. “If it weren’t for the Biden Administration’s reckless open-border policies, criminals like this woman would have never been able to enter our country. ICE has lodged a detainer asking Miami officials to not release this criminal from jail,” the spokesperson said.
“We will work with our partners in Florida to make sure she is removed from our country after she faces justice,” the spokesperson added.
The detainer requests that local police hold a suspect for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, giving immigration agents time to transfer suspects into federal custody.
Fire crews responded to a blaze at Campos-Sanchez’s Miami home on Aug. 16. Investigators later determined the fire was intentional, according to an arrest affidavit. Authorities discovered disturbing videos that appeared to show her pouring hot wax from a lit candle onto her own chest. She was also allegedly seen pouring molten wax onto one of her two daughters.
Another clip showed the content creator dancing before setting a pile of clothes alight after dousing them in liquid. The videos were shared with her 55,000 Instagram followers.
One of the girls told police “she and her sister were present and witnessed their mother burn a shirt. As a result, it started a fire while the victims were inside the residence,” according to a police report.
Investigators allegedly found a flammable liquid and a lighter at the home while responding to the fire. Campos-Sanchez, who was wearing a mask in the video, was taken to a hospital before being booked in jail.
Authorities spoke to her husband, Yusniel Cue, who reportedly revealed the couple had been experiencing marital issues, according to the warrant. He said he had been staying with his parents for around a week while Campos-Sanchez looked after the girls.
Cue also claimed that Campos-Sanchez had tried to take her own life and reported his concerns to police. It remains unclear when the alleged suicide attempt occurred.
A judge has ordered Campos-Sanchez to stay away from her daughters.