NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Police: Mother tied son’s hands during California fire

Authorities say a woman placed a plastic bag over her 3-year-old son’s head and tied his hands as their Santa Paula home burned.
Posted
and last updated

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a woman placed a plastic bag over her 3-year-old son’s head and tied his hands as their Santa Paula home burned.

Santa Paula police say 47-year-old Maricela Magana Ruiz and her son were treated for smoke inhalation after the Sunday fire. Firefighters found the woman tied to a bed and the boy in another bedroom. Her motive is not known.

Santa Paula police say the blaze is believed to be intentionally set, but they are still investigating who started the fire. Authorities say there are no other suspects being sought.

Police say Ruiz was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment. She is being held on $50,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

07/01/2025

Clear

-° / 71°

0%

Wednesday

07/02/2025

Clear

102° / 71°

0%

Thursday

07/03/2025

Clear

102° / 67°

0%

Friday

07/04/2025

Clear

95° / 65°

0%

Saturday

07/05/2025

Clear

95° / 67°

0%

Sunday

07/06/2025

Clear

98° / 69°

0%

Monday

07/07/2025

Clear

100° / 70°

0%

Tuesday

07/08/2025

Clear

101° / 71°

0%