SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Schenectady Police Department says the mother of two children left unsupervised while a fire burned in a neighboring apartment has been arrested and charged with starting the fire.
Schenectady police say 20-year-old Jessica Lupi, of 653 Lansing St, Apt 2, has been arrested on Wednesday and charged with Arson 2nd-degree, a felony, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Police say Lupi allegedly set fire to some clothing in a vacant apartment within her building, and left her two children, a 3-year-old girl and her infant baby sister, unsupervised as the fire burned.
NEWS10 spoke with Lupi on Tuesday, who gave her side of the story. She told NEWS10 she was fighting with her boyfriend, and left the home to find money she thought he had taken, and when she returned the fire had started and her children were gone. She said she thought the children were with her father, Jeff Lupi.
Jeff Lupi, who lives next door to the vacant apartment, also told NEWS10 the babies were with him. "I fell asleep and my granddaughter came out," Lupi described, "She is 3-years-old and smelled smoke, and came out into the hallway and the neighbor came down and brought her upstairs to keep her safe."
The fire was contained quickly by fire fighters and left no major damage to the residence.
The children are safe and in custody of Child Protective Services.
Lupi will be arraigned on Wednesday. There are no further details at this time.
Jessica Lupi
Lupi speaks to NEWS10 on Tuesday, defending her actions
Jeff Lupi
NEWS10 ABC
