SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) said two children were found dead in a burned vehicle early Friday morning on the West Side.
The bodies were located just before 5 a.m. behind a warehouse in the 500 block of Richland Hills Drive, which is located near Potranco Road.
Officers said they later detained a 34-year-old woman at the scene, who was determined to be the children’s mother.
The woman, identified as Marlene Vidal of Edinburg, was arrested and charged with capital murder, SAPD said. She has “family connections” in the San Antonio area, authorities said.
SAPD Assistant Chief Jesse Salame said the children are believed to be 5 and 7 years old. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine their identities.
During a news conference just after 7 a.m. Friday, Salame told reporters that first responders initially found “three young children” inside the car.
However, in the most recent news conference held just before 10 a.m., Salame confirmed there were only two children inside the burned vehicle.
Police said crews were called to the scene after a passerby saw the vehicle on fire and called 911.
Salame said police obtained surveillance video and evidence at the scene, along with “statements” made by Vidal, that indicate that “she was solely responsible for the death of these two children.”
While a motive remains unclear, Salame said “mental health issues may have played a role.”
KSAT spoke to a family member who confirmed Vidal is from Edinburg, but she was temporarily living in San Antonio.
As the investigation continues to unfold, Salame struggled to find the words to capture the impact that the discovery could have on the community.
“It’s difficult for our entire community to have to deal with this,” Salame said. “It’s tragic on so many angles; it’s hard for us to really put into words how this impacts all of our community.”
Salame said arson investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.
“Now the focus will shift on the extensive investigative work that is needed to ensure that we provide the strongest possible case to the district attorney’s office,” Salame said.
KSAT searched Bexar County and Hidalgo County databases and found no previous criminal record for Vidal.
Vidal is being held on a $2.1 million bond — $1 million each for two capital murder charges and $100,000 for an arson charge, Bexar County court records show.
The local office of Child Protective Services confirmed it is investigating this case since the crime happened in Bexar County.
Anyone struggling with mental health can reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine by calling 800-950-NAMI (6264), texting NAMI to 62640, emailing helpline@nami.org, or chatting online.
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