A Vernal mother has been charged with child abuse related to an incident that allegedly occurred in July. According to the Probable Cause Statement, on July 25, 2026, in Uintah County, Lilian Orizabal left two minor children unattended in their residence with food cooking on the stove on High, resulting in heavy smoke filling the apartment while burning the food. The children, approximately ages 3 and 6, exited the residence in a hysterical state, crying, with hair wet from tears, screaming for their mother and pointing to the apartment. A neighbor entered the residence, observed no adults present, turned
off the stove, and noted the residence had filled with smoke. The children locked themselves back inside the residence. Law enforcement arrived and entered, confirmed that only children were present, observed thick smoke causing throat irritation, and found burnt ribs and charred substance in a pan. Orizabal returned approximately 45 minutes
after the initial report, stated she had left to go to a store, and admitted the children were left alone with a cell phone. Officers noted that the children exhibited serious emotional distress. 28-year-old Lilian Sofia Ochoa Orizabal was not arrested but was charged this week with two counts of 3rd Degree Felony Aggravated Child Abuse with a Summons to appear in court in October.