When was this published?

This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by KGNS — Sitewide.

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See more safety coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

safety

Mother and father charged after 3 children left alone in cockroach-infested home during fire, authorities say

By KGNS — Sitewide · July 2, 2026 · 3 min read

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) - A mother and father are facing charges after three young children were left home alone during a fire late Monday, police said.According to the Columbia Police Department, 28-year-old Zana Oden faces three counts of unlawful conduct of a child. She appeared in cour...

Why this matters in The Laredo

The disturbing case of three young children left alone in a cockroach-infested home during a fire in Columbia, South Carolina, raises concerns about the well-being of vulnerable populations in our own community. In Laredo, where many families face economic and social challenges, it is crucial that local authorities and social services are equipped to identify and support at-risk children. The fact that the children in this case were left unattended for at least a week before the fire is a stark reminder of the need for robust child welfare systems. As we follow this story, it will be important to consider how our own city's government and social services can work together to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in Laredo. The community must also be vigilant in reporting suspected cases of child neglect or abuse, ensuring that our most vulnerable residents receive the care and protection they deserve.

About this story

Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide. The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 2, 2026 · Source: KGNS — Sitewide · Reading time: 3 min

About this coverage

Every story on The Laredo is curated, fact-checked against the original publisher's reporting, and contextualized for our readers. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize the key facts under fair use, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see thelaredo.org/editorial-standards.

About The Laredo

The Laredo is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover Laredo TX news, United Independent School District (UISD) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD), United High School, Laredo. Our reporting is supported by display advertising, sponsorships, and reader donations — with sponsored placements clearly attributed. Read our ownership disclosures at thelaredo.org/ownership.

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