Santa Paula Police Department – Incident Press Release
On Sunday, December 1st, 2019 at 6:10 PM, Santa Paula Police Department received a 911 call of a structure fire on Bahia Circle where a woman was tied to a bed and a young boy was in another part of the home. Firefighters from the Ventura County Fire Department responded and rescued the woman and boy while extinguishing a fire in the downstairs living room. The woman and child were taken to the Santa Paula Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation.
Detectives from Santa Paula Police Department responded to the scene along with Arson investigators from the Ventura County Fire Department and initiated a criminal investigation. After lengthy interviews with Maricela Magana Ruiz FH/47, of Santa Paula, detectives 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. Her motive is unknown and the investigation is on-going. Suspect Magana was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Felony Child Endangerment and bail was set at $50,000.
The investigation regarding the origin of the fire is on-going.
For additional information call Detective Sergeant Allen Macias at 805-525-4474 Ext 220, or email at [email protected].