A California couple spent months getting ready to bring their newborn son home. They filled his nursery with everything a new baby would need. Just weeks before his due date, the nursery was destroyed in a fire. The family watched from outside as firefighters worked through the night.
The incident has since led to several arrests, strong community support, and a mother who says she still has room to forgive.
Citrus Heights police arrested three teenage girls on suspicion of arson after officers said they threw a lit firecracker through a bedroom window at a home on the 7700 block of Bierston Street around 7 p.m. on June 30, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department.
CBS Sacramento reported that the girls face several felony charges, including aggravated arson, arson, burglary, and conspiracy.
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District crews arrived to find a mattress burning inside the bedroom. Firefighters were able to keep the flames inside that room, but smoke spread through the rest of the house.
According to the Citrus Heights Sentinel, the room was the nursery that Leslie Morgan and Anthony Cadena had just finished preparing for their son, Noah, who was due just weeks later.
The California family said everything in the nursery was destroyed, including blankets, the crib, sheets, and bottles.
Morgan was not home when the fire started. She received a security camera alert after a neighbor noticed smoke and flames.
Cadena was reportedly in another room of the house. He opened the door and found the nursery bed on fire. With help from a passerby, he used a garden hose to keep the flames under control until Sacramento Metro Fire arrived.
No one was injured.
Police said the incident happened after an earlier disagreement involving one of the girls who lives in the home, as per ABC10.
Investigators said security camera footage from Morgan’s home helped identify the suspects.
“Our family forgives these girls because that’s what we do. We’re not holding a grudge against them,” Morgan told ABC10. She added, “I do hope that something happens to change their perspective.”
Internet Reacts to California Nursery Arson Case
The story sparked debate online, with some commenters echoing Morgan’s forgiving tone while others pushed for tougher consequences.
One commenter wrote, “They tried to kill her and her family. Never forgive creatures like this.” Another asked, “Learn their lesson? There very well could have been a newborn in that room.”
A third pushed back on the idea of forgiveness entirely: “You forgive them? What if your new baby was in that room? These two evil creeps need to be prosecuted!!!! Press charges!!!”
Someone else took a middle ground: “Forgiveness is great! Also, prosecute criminally and sue civilly. Make sure everyone knows never to do that again. They might have injured or killed a baby. That can’t be tolerated.”
A fifth commenter focused on consequences for the family involved: “The children & their parents need to do some time or pay for all repairs or both!”
The family has started a fundraiser to help replace the nursery and pay for repairs. According to the Citrus Heights Sentinel, the fundraiser had raised almost $5,000 as of Thursday.
