Camillia Foulks will be appearing in court today for a fitness hearing at which it will be decided if she is fit to stand trial for the fire deaths of eight children.

Foulks, 25, was found unfit to stand trial Jan. 25.

In February, Judge David W. Watt said it was likely Foulks would be found fit to stand trial within a year, and Foulks’ attorney, Public Defender Mike Rowland, said last week that they were optimistic about Foulks being found fit for trial at today’s hearing.

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Jackson County States Attorney Mike Wepsiec had no comment on the matter.

Foulks is charged with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter, one count of endangering the life or health of a child and one count of reckless conduct in connection with the Aug. 14, 1994 blaze at 424 E. Oak St.

Nine children were in the house at the time of the blaze. A 9-year-old girl escaped the blaze, however the other eight children died.

Foulks is accused of leaving the children unsupervised and going to the Carbondale area of town known as the Levy which is located at the intersection of Washington Street and Oak Street.

Authorities believe the fire was started by children playing with matches or a lighter.

Foulks has been at the Alton Mental Health Center by court order since July 7 for mental health evaluation and treatment.

At the time of placement, Wepsiec and Rowland told Judge David W. Watt Jr. they agreed that the Alton facility was best suited for Foulks.

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