Police in Rialto, California shut down a “haunted house” Friday night because it was unsafe. It had been set up in a burned out home. That home, at 1460 North Lilac Avenue, caught fire on May 29. Inside the home firefighters found five-year-old Mario Sisneros and three-year-old David Sisneros. The boys died hours later.
KTLA-TV reports Irma Delgado, the boys’ grandmother, attempted to get the boys to crawl to safety.
The mother of the children is the person who turned the home into a “haunted house”. Twenty-seven-year-old Viviana Delgado says it is how she is coping with her loss.
Here are excerpts from KTLA-TV’s story:
“It’s my way of saying happy Halloween to my kids.”
Delgado says she is planning to have pony rides as a part of the “haunted house.”
Amid Halloween décor including monsters and spooky signs, a planter sits on on the lawn, filled with some Mario and David Sisneros’ toys– a scooter, a toy tractor, and stuffed animals.
In the midst of the boyhood trinkets are two plastic buckets, each holding a picture of one of the two deceased boys, as well as a crucifix.
Two tombstone decorations can be seen on the lawn.
“People don’t know what I’m going through, they don’t know how I feel,” Delgado said. “This is how we’re going to spend Halloween together.”
Though Delgado says the “haunted house” is a tribute to her boys on their favorite holiday, some neighbors consider the scene to be “ghoulish” and “macabre.”
Delgado is inviting visitors to walk the very halls where her sons attempted to crawl under the deadly smoke. She says there will be flashing lights and a Halloween soundtrack playing for effect.
“Since it’s a haunted house, it has to be some kind of scary,” she said.
Also on STATter911 …
- Fireground audio & raw video from close call at double fatal Fairfax County house fire. One injury to firefighter after floor collapse. – January 26, 2010
- Florida chief accused of being under the influence at fatal fire. Firefighters say Tarpon Springs Chief Stephen Moreno caused problems at scene. – January 23, 2010
This is either brilliant or disgusting … makes me very uncomfortable.
To each their own, I guess.
More like the insanity of ignorance. Certainly, macabre. I wonder if mom will be on the front steps with a collection can in one hand and a beer in the other.
I had the same reaction as most to this story…simply unbelievable. It took me five seconds to see what this story is really about, a mother emotionally circling the drain. For all of you who have kids you should be ashamed of yourselves for judging this person. Think about it..one day your packing lunches and getting your kids on the bus doing house work and picking up toys and next your kids and house and every dream you had for your children are GONE. Most of you have had calls dealing with pediatric victims and know the impact it has, well add to the mix that child being yours and you may start understanding what she is going through. I know what it looks like but try to look past that and pray for her…by the looks of things she needs it.
Jason,
I had a variety of reactions when I read and watched this story. The one that has stuck with me since I posted the story this morning is very much what you are saying. Who am I to judge how this person has reacted to such pain and trauma in her life?
Dave Statter