LAUDERHILL, Fla. – A mother was left in tears after learning that her only surviving child would be temporarily taken away from her.
Melanie Harvey was working at a nightclub early Monday morning when a fire broke out at her Lauderhill home. Her youngest son, who was just 8 years old, was killed in the fire.
On Wednesday, a judge decided that the teacher of the mother's surviving child, Justin Isme, 9, would have momentary responsibility of him.
The grandfather of the boys, Chris Harvey, did not want to speak on camera but told Local 10's Mark Jackman that his daughter, the single mother of both boys, needed to make extra money, so she left her sons home alone.
But the Department of Children and Families attorney argued that no matter the reason, children only 8 and 9 years old should not be left home alone.
The boys' father was apparently supposed to watch them that night, but he was not at the home when the fire broke out.