According to KTRK, Fredrick Price is the ex-boyfriend of 19-month-old J'Zyra's mother, Racquel Thompson. The toddler died Nov. 16 after one of her 3-year-old siblings placed her in an oven and another turned it on, officials said. J'Zyra, the two 3-year-olds and a 5-year-old reportedly were left alone in their Houston apartment while Thompson and her current boyfriend, whose name was not given, went to pick up a pizza.
Officials said this wasn't the first time the mother had left the children at home alone. Thompson told Child Protective Services that she frequently left the kids unsupervised while she dropped off her boyfriend at work, KTRK reported.
"It's very irresponsible," Price, who said he is the father of the 3-year-olds but did not know whether J'Zyra was his daughter, told KTRK on Thursday. "Someone should have been here, or I should have gotten a phone call (to) come and get my children."
Those children are now in foster care, according to KTRK. KPRC reported that after J'Zyra's death, the 5-year-old was placed in a separate home from the 3-year-olds.
Thompson and her current boyfriend have not been charged in the incident. But officials with Child Protective Services said criminal charges likely will be filed, KTRK reported.
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