William C. Phillips III

Camellia Foulks, who allegedly left nine children unattended in her home that was consumed in an August 1994 fire, pleaded guilty to one count of endangering a child in a Jackson County Court Wednesday.

The fire killed eight of the children whose ages ranged from five months to 7 years, three of whom were Foulks’ children. Investigators have said they believe the fire was started by matches or a lighter.

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Michael Roland, Foulks’ public defender, said because Foulks pleaded guilty, the initially scheduled March 18 trial for Foulks has been canceled.

Roland said because the decision was an open plea, further decisions in the case are in the hands of the court.

There will be a sentence report probably sometime in March, he said. The range of sentencing includes time in prison or probation.

Roland said he discussed the option of pleading guilty with Foulks in meetings, and he said he and his client decided it was the best route to take.

Between her and I, we decided that this was the best strategic move, he said.

Jackson County Judge David W. Watt Jr. ruled to dismiss eight felony counts of involuntary manslaughter against Foulks in November because he said the case was one of causing, not creating, death.

He also denied a defense motion to move Foulks’ trial to another location because there was no evidence supporting the defense claims that the public had been tainted by information released by police regarding the case.

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