NATCHEZ — Adams County sheriff’s deputies arrested Thursday the mother of a 3-and 5-year-old for felony child neglect after she reportedly left her children alone while their house caught fire June 1.

The woman charged, Venicia Renee Firley, 25, 18 North Circle Drive, said she had just stepped out of the house for 10 or 15 minutes to exercise when the fire occurred.

Her older son later admitted to playing with matches, officials said.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said his office made the arrest after an investigation, which included interviews from witnesses at the scene before, during and after the incident.

Felony child neglect applies if necessary supervision appropriate to the age of the child results in substantial harm to the child’s physical health, Mayfield said.

Since the children were locked in the house during the fire and were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, Mayfield said his office investigated the charges against Firley.

At the time of the incident, Firley was out on bond for a felony drug charge for sale of schedule II controlled substance-cocaine in a church zone, Mayfield said.

Firley’s drug case has not advanced to the grand jury yet. She remains in jail without bond until her arraignment, Mayfield said.

He said the maximum penalty for felony child neglect is five years in prison and $5,000.

Mayfield said Firley’s sons, Kayvan Barideaux, 5, and Charvontae Buchannan, 3, have since been released from the hospital.

The children were put in care of Firley’s mother since the arrest, and Adams County Youth Court is handling their custody.

“It’s a tragic situation, but parents are responsible for their children, and that’s pretty egregious (behavior) in my opinion,” Mayfield said.

“Something had to be done for the kids.”