Infant Rescued From Fire In Serious Condition

Fri., Oct. 13, 2000

From Staff Reports

The medical condition of a 3-month-old girl left inside a burning home for 20 minutes Tuesday morning has been upgraded from critical to serious, Sacred Heart Medical Center staff said Thursday.

Case workers with state Child Protective Services are investigating why Katelyn D’Addario was left inside the smoke-filled home, while four other children and two adults made their way to safety, officials at the Department of Social and Health Services said.

According to fire investigators, Mandi D’Addario, 27, had left her five children with a housemate - Carey A. Stuhlmiller - while she went to run errands.

Stuhlmiller’s boyfriend, Craig J. Hepton, was also at the home, at 912 E. DeSmet Ave., when the fire broke out.

The blaze is believed to have been caused by a portable electric stove left on in the basement, where Stuhlmiller and Hepton were staying that night.

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