Young kids rescued from burning house after mom left them home alone, NY officials say

Three young children were left home alone and had to be rescued when the house caught fire. Now, the mom who allegedly abandoned them faces criminal charges.

The three children were 2, 3 and 5 years old, prosecutors in New York said.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced Chelsea Patton, 25, of Buffalo was arraigned June 29 on three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Around 9:40 a.m. June 29, the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a fire at a home on Goodyear Avenue. Three children were rescued as firefighters extinguished the flames in the bathroom.

Patton allegedly returned to the home as crews worked to put out the blaze. Patton is accused of leaving her children home alone during the incident, according to the district attorney's office.

The children were taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital for evaluation, but no injuries were reported.

Patton is scheduled to return to court on July 29. She was released on her own recognizance as the charges did not qualify for bail.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.