Felony charge filed against mother in connection with fatal Joliet fire that resulted in death of 4-year-old boy

April 20

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Joliet woman has been charged with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child in connection with a fatal fire on April 7 in Joliet that resulted in the death of her 4-year-old son.

The charge was filed against Tiana M. Wallace, 25, of 316 N. Bluff St., on Monday (April 19, 2010). Endangering the Life or Health of a Child is a Class 3 Felony that carries a penalty of two to five years in prison upon conviction.

The charge alleges that Wallace “willfully caused the life or health of O.D., a child under the age of 18 years, to be endangered in that said defendant left O.D., age 4, unattended in the residence located at 316 N. Bluff, Apt. #112, Joliet, Illinois, and said violation is a proximate cause of the death of O.D.”

An arrest warrant with a $175,000 bond was issued for Wallace on Monday, although she has yet to be taken into custody. Anyone with information about Wallace’s whereabouts is asked to call the Joliet Police Department’s Investigations Division at (815) 724-3020 or Crime Stoppers of Will County at (800) 323-6734. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.