safety
Mother and father charged after 3 children left alone in cockroach-infested home during fire, authorities say
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· 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...
Key takeaway According to the Columbia Police Department, 28-year-old Zana Oden faces three counts of unlawful conduct of a child.
Why this matters in The Midland
This disturbing case from Columbia, South Carolina, raises concerns about child safety and neglect in our own community. In Midland , where many families face economic and social challenges, it's crucial that local authorities and social services are vigilant in identifying and supporting vulnerable children. The fact that the three young girls were left alone for at least a week before the fire is a stark reminder of the need for robust child welfare systems. As we consider the well-being of children in our own city, we must ensure that our local resources, such as the Midland County Child Protective Services, are equipped to respond to similar situations. Furthermore, community awareness and education about child neglect and abuse can help prevent such tragedies from occurring in our own backyard. By learning from this case, we can work towards creating a safer environment for all children in Midland.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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