Toddlers Left Home Alone Die In Fire

Charlotte, NC -- Officials say two toddlers left at home alone in Charlotte with young siblings have died in a house fire.

Firefighters responded to 913 Rowan street just after 6:00 Sunday morning.

Investigators say 2-year-old Josiah Hawthorne and 1-year-old Gabriel Hawthorne died in the fire.

The two toddlers were home with a 4-year-old brother and a 7-year-old sister when the fire started. Police say a neighbor rescued the two older children.

Orgal Paulette Opata, the children's mother, has been charged with the following:

• Four counts of exposing a child to fire
• Three counts of reckless/gross felony child abuse
• Two counts of murder
• One Count of burning resulting in serious injury to a firefighter

Opata is in police custody. In January, she was charged with three counts of contributing to delinquency/neglect of juvenile.

Fire investigators say the blaze appears to be accidental.