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California mom accused of covering toddler's head with plastic bag, tying his hands during fire

SANTA PAULA, Calif. — A California mom is facing multiple charges after police said she covered her toddler son's head with a plastic bag and bound his hands while flames tore through their home Sunday evening.

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According to KTLA, police arrested Maricela Magana Ruiz, 47, of Santa Paula, on child endangerment and arson charges early Monday, hours after firefighters rescued her and the 3-year-old boy from the blaze.

In a news release, Santa Paula police said the Ventura County Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at the Bahia Circle home just after 6 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters discovered Ruiz "tied to a bed" and the child "in another part of the home," police said. Crews put out the fire and rushed the pair, who suffered smoke inhalation, to a nearby hospital, according to the release.

Press ReleaseOn Sunday, December 1st, 2019 at 6:10 PM, Santa Paula Police Department received a 911 call of a...

Posted by Santa Paula Police Department on Monday, December 2, 2019

Investigators later spoke to Ruiz and "determined she endangered her 3-year old son by placing a plastic bag over his head and tying his hands before placing him in a bedroom by himself," the release said.

Ruiz was jailed and released after posting $50,000 bail, KNBC reported late Monday.

Authorities have not revealed a motive but suspect the incident may be connected to a custody dispute, according to KTLA. Detectives are still investigating "the origin of the fire," police said.

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