A 26-year-old Miami-Dade mother, Meliza Campos-Sanchez, is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say she poured hot wax on her two young daughters and intentionally set a fire in her kitchen. The disturbing incident, which was partially captured in videos posted to her social media, has shocked the community and raised serious questions about the woman’s mental state .
The Incident Unfolds
On August 16, 2026, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to reports of a fire at a home on the 4200 block of Southwest 95th Avenue in Miami-Dade County. Investigators determined the blaze was started deliberately using an open flame and flammable liquids .
According to the arrest affidavit, Campos-Sanchez posted two videos to her Instagram account that became central to the investigation. In one clip, she is seen wearing a silver mask while dancing in the kitchen before spraying a liquid—believed to be rubbing alcohol—on clothes on the floor and setting them on fire with a red lighter . Investigators later recovered the mask, lighter, and a bottle containing a clear liquid from the scene .
In a separate video, Campos-Sanchez allegedly poured melted candle wax onto her own leg before pouring it on the hands of her daughters, ages 6 and 3. In the footage, she reportedly tells the children “not to be scared” .
The Children’s Account
Her 6-year-old daughter later told investigators that she and her younger sister witnessed their mother start the fire. The girl said Campos-Sanchez threw a glass mug while dancing and eventually extinguished the flames with a bowl of water. She then brought both children into the kitchen and poured hot wax on them .
Husband’s Warning
The children’s father, Yusniel Cue, told investigators that the couple had been experiencing marital issues and he had been staying with his parents for about a week before the incident. He said he had called authorities multiple times the week prior because he was concerned about his children’s safety and his wife’s mental health . He also told investigators about a prior alleged suicide attempt .
Cue learned about the videos when a friend of Campos-Sanchez called him. When he arrived at the home, fire officials were already on scene. He took custody of his daughters while Campos-Sanchez was transported to a hospital .
Charges and Mental Health Evaluation
Campos-Sanchez was initially taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for involuntary mental health treatment. She was sedated and could not be interviewed by investigators at the time .
She has been charged with first-degree arson, child abuse, and two counts of child neglect. She is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center . An immigration hold has also been lodged against her .
Court Proceedings
During a court hearing, Campos-Sanchez’s family and attorneys raised concerns about her mental health. Her cousin told NBC6, “She was simply not in her right state of mind. She didn’t realize what she was doing” .
A judge has ordered two competency evaluations to determine whether Campos-Sanchez is mentally fit to proceed with her court hearings . She remains in jail pending the results. The two children are currently safe and staying with family .
@naisituni A Miami-Dade woman is facing charges after authorities said she poured hot wax on her daughter’s hands before setting a fire in her kitchen. Meliza Campos-Sanchez, 26, was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, known as a Baker Act, the reports said. It was later discovered she posted two videos to her Instagram account, including one that showed her in the kitchen using lit candles to pour melted wax on her leg and then in the hands of one of her two daughters, ages 6 and 3, the reports said. #mom #daughter #wax #fire #mentalhealth
