Man Saves Four Texas Children From Fire, Gets Arrested

[chadtm80]

Man Saves Four Texas Children From Fire, Gets Arrested
Parole Violation Lands Man In Jail

POSTED: 8:11 a.m. EDT April 29, 2003
UPDATED: 8:54 a.m. EDT April 29, 2003

ABILENE, Texas -- One family calls him a hero, but a sheriff's deputy says he's under arrest.

Kris Leija,22, repeatedly ran into a burning apartment building in Abilene, Texas, and carried four children to safety. But once he appeared on TV to talk about the fire, an officer recognized him for failing to meet with his probation officer.

Leija had been on four months probation for a burglary conviction. His mother said he knew he could have been arrested when he got on TV, but was responding to a request by the children's family to find out who he was.


From jail, Leija said he wants everyone to remember him for the good he did and not the bad in his past.

At 3 a.m. Sunday, an Abilene apartment building erupted in flames.

"I just thought, 'Let me see if I can do anything to help,'" Leija said.

He ran straight into the fire and returned with a child. Emergency crews couldn't stop him.

"I turned back and I heard the police officers and firefighters telling me, 'Don't go back, come back.' But I had to get two more kids that I left in there."

And he did. The story was broadcast nationwide, but among those watching was a sheriff's deputy who knew Leija, (pictured, right) was a wanted man. He was on four years probation for a burglary last year and he failed to meet his parole officer last month.



"I learned my mistakes for what I did and that ain't me," Leija said. "I just want the community to look at me as a good person for what I did."


The arresting officer in the case said she still considers Leija a hero for saving the children, but said he should have been more responsible about his personal matters.


The fire eventually left 70 families homeless, but no one was injured.

[ColdFront77]

Interesting story indeed, Chad. Michael (ThunderStooge) posted this with the thread titled, "Young Bicyclist Saves Children In Apartment Fire" yesterday. At least this article gives more information about what I responded to in that thread.

[southerngale]

I think Tom had a little problem with the submit button.

Anyway, I hope this guy really is sorry for his past and keeps his future parole meetings. I love to see people change for the better. He did a wonderful thing saving those children...he must have a good heart.

[Stephanie]

I think Tom had a little problem with the submit button.

Anyway, I hope this guy really is sorry for his past and keeps his future parole meetings. I love to see people change for the better. He did a wonderful thing saving those children...he must have a good heart.

I agree Southerngale!

[j]

perhaps a testament to reformation working...perhaps a pardon of sorts would help pay back this person for his good deed(s)....and in the process free up his jail cell for some real trash.

[Stephanie]

perhaps a testament to reformation working...perhaps a pardon of sorts would help pay back this person for his good deed(s)....and in the process free up his jail cell for some real trash.

I agree! If not a pardon then perhaps some kind of community service that he could perform instead.

[chadtm80]

think Tom had a little problem with the submit button.

Id say so.. LOL, must of been when our server was having problems earlier...

Sorry stooge, had no idea you posted about this yesturday... Didnt mean to step on your toes

[ColdFront77]

Sorry to be off topic, but actually on topic with the indication of a problem with my posting in this thread earlier this afternoon.

It sounds like my post was posted more than twice; how many times did it show up?

It was slowly loading, I had a feeling it made it to the thread, but had no way of knowing. So, apparently it wasn't a problem with the site, it was just my access to it.....

[WidreMann]

The only thing about trading good for bad is that it may not prevent bad at all. If these guys think they can get off by doing a few good deeds here and there, but then go off and commit crimes practically scot-free, they will. Certainly it was a nice thing to do, and maybe in this case, it was good that he was out. But we have to think about the greater implications of a such a system for everybody, not just for one specific case.

[Lindaloo]

You know this guy did not have to save those children but did without batting an eye. He KNEW he would probably be caught for probation (not parole) violation and he never thought about himself before those children. This has been a topic of conversation at work all day. I have had judges tell me today that he should be pardoned. I am talking about circuit court judges too.

And anytime you are on probation for burglary that means you are to report to a parole officer. Seeing a parole officer does not mean he served a prison sentence nor jail time. Also he fell under the non-adjudication clause for first time offenders. If he had completed his four years of probation his record would have been cleared. In other words he was to have gotten a second chance. Hope that clears up your attitude in all this Widremann.

[chadtm80]

I would definatly been the one to bail him out if it was my kids he saved

[Rainband]

I think a burgular who violates his parole and then turns around and saves children from a burning apartment should be pardoned....After all killers get off scott free if the detectives make a mistake in the evidence gathering. He was a burgular not a killer.. :o :o :o :o :o I agree with you southergale!!! 8)

[Rainband]

perhaps a testament to reformation working...perhaps a pardon of sorts would help pay back this person for his good deed(s)....and in the process free up his jail cell for some real trash.

And you too j..

[sunny shine]

I agree southerngale and everybody else who has agreed with southerngale.

Hi Rainband.

[weatherlover427]

He should get out of jail RIGHT NOW because of his heroic acts.