Shetarra James
Shetarra James
FAIRFIELD, CA - A Fairfield mother was released from jail after being accused of leaving four children alone in her apartment when a fire started, killing them.
Shetarra James, 25, was given 10 years formal probation in Solano County Superior Court Friday.
Last November, a jury found James guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the April 2010 fire; her three young children and a niece died.
"I made a bad judgement call that cost my babies their lives," said James after being released from jail Friday night. "The mistake was walking out the house, leaving candles lit with my children, not knowing that something was going to happen. I didn't know something was going to happen. But something did happen and my babies perished in the fire due to my bad judgement call and I'm able to take responsability for my actions."
Fire investigators determined the fire started from candles left burning in the Delaware Street apartment. James claimed she was only outside in the apartment complex parking lot for a few minutes, while witnesses reported she left the children for 20 minutes.
James's defense attorney claimed the defendant suffered from frontal lobe syndrome, which causes a disconnect between actions and consequences.
James had been in jail for nearly two years.
At her sentencing, James apologized to the children and asked for their forgiveness.
Solano County Judge Peter B. Foor sentenced James to 15 years in prison, but then suspended her term. Foor said James' remorse was genuine and she had no prior record.
Two jurors also sought leniency for James.
Foor ordered mental health care for James and directed she not be allowed to be alone with young children.
By Natalie Sentz, nsentz@news10.net
News10/KXTV