Mom Arrested in Pompano Beach Fire That Killed Young Sisters

The mother of two young sisters who died when a fire swept through their Pompano Beach home over the weekend was arrested on manslaughter charges Friday, authorities said.

Jeny Yosselin Melendez-Ramirez, 22, is facing two counts of aggravated manslaughter of a child, Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said. She was arrested during a traffic stop in the 1900 block of West McNab Road, officials said.

Officials say 5-month-old Abigail Espinoza and 5-year-old Sofia Melendez were killed in Saturday’s fire at the Banyan Club Apartments at 1830 Northeast 48th Street.

Melendez-Ramirez left her daughters and 2-year-old son in the care of her 16-year-old sister while she went to work, officials said. The teen left the girls alone after Melendez-Ramirez told her to take the 2-year-old with her to get some baby food at Walmart, officials said.

“Detectives say Melendez-Ramirez caused the death of her kids through culpable negligence,” BSO said in a statement Friday.

Melendez-Ramirez was being booked into jail Friday evening. Attorney information wasn’t available.