47-year-old Maricela Magana Ruiz is facing felony charges of child abuse and arson.
Ruiz is being held at the Ventura County Jail. She allegedly tied up her 3-year-old son, place a plastic bag over his head and left him in his bedroom while he set their home on fire, police said.
Ruiz’s Bail was initially set at $50,000 and then later increased to $550,000. She is expected to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on Dec. 4.
According to reported officers responded to a call of a structure fire on Bahia Circle Sunday afternoon, they found a woman tied to a bed and a boy in another part of the house, according to the Santa Paula Police Department. Firefighters rescued them and extinguished the fire.
After authorities interviewed the mother, identified as 47-year-old Maricela Magana Ruiz, they determined she endangered her son. Detectives say she put a plastic bag over his head, tied his hands and left him in a bedroom by himself.
Ruiz and her son were brought to Santa Paula Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. A motive has not been determined.