Grand Island woman charged with child abuse during house fire

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- A Grand Island woman is in jail after authorities say she put her four-year-old in danger during a fire.

The Grand Island Fire Department was called on Saturday afternoon to a structure fire on Eddy St. 

When officers arrived, police said they made contact with a resident who claimed he was the only person in the house. He later said there was a woman inside, and then said there were two children in the basement. 

Upon a second search, firefighters found Jessica Fountain and a four-year-old in a closet covered up in a blanket. Fountain had an active Hall County arrest warrant.

The Fire Department said crews called out multiple times to clear the home, which was so hazy with smoke that it required them to wear oxygen masks. 

According to officials, Fountain claimed she didn’t hear anything and denied she was hiding.

Authorities said Fountain's actions placed her child in a situation where she could potentially cause serious injury or death.

Fountain was arrested for her Hall County warrant and for intentional child abuse, no injury.