Family Involved In Little Village Fire Had Long History With DCFS

CHICAGO — The Department of Child and Family Services said there was a "history of vulnerability" in the families whose children died in the Little Village fire. One of the families was investigated by the DCFS 21 times since 2004, officials said. The fire killed ten children.

Firefighters were called to the 2200 block of South Sacramento Avenue around 4 a.m. on Sunday, fire officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but isn't considered suspicious, fire officials said. There were no working smoke detectors in the building.

DCFS said Yolanda Ayala lost five of her children in the fire: Cesar Contreras, 14, Nathan Contreras, 13, Xavier Contreras, 11, Ariel Garcia, 5, and 3 month-old Amayah Almaraz.

The agency said Ayala was involved in 21 investigations since 2004. Records from 2004 to 2009 involving Ayala weren't available, but since March 2013, she was investigated for "inadequate supervision" three times and "substantial risk of physical injury" four times. Each case was ruled "unfounded." Another investigation has been launched involving Ayala after the deadly fire.

In January of 2015, Ayala's then 16-year-old daughter took a 7-month-old relative to the mall and used the baby as a "pawn" to steal products, according to DCFS records.

"She hid the merchandise in the stroller assuming no one would stop them with a baby," the DCFS reported. "They were later stopped by police."

Nine of the children killed in the fire were cousins, and one was a close friend.

Three other mothers lost children in the fire, two of which had prior contact with the DCFS, officials said.

The other children killed were Victor Mendoza, 16, Adrian Hernandez, 14, Giovanni Monarre, 10, Gialanni Ayala, 5, and Alanni Ayala, 3.

The Office of Fire Investigations is working with the Chicago Police Department's Arson Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the cause of the fire. An engineering analysis on an electrical device is currently being conducted, fire officials said.

A GoFundMe account was set up to help families cover burial costs, and a vigil has been held near the site of the tragedy every night since Sunday. A memorial of white crosses, candles, flowers and balloons was also laid near the site.

Image via Chicago Fire Department