SAN ANTONIO – A growing memorial of flowers, candles, and stuffed animals now marks the spot on San Antonio’s West Side where two young children were found dead inside a burned vehicle Friday morning, as the children’s mother remains jailed on a $2.1 million bond.
Their father identified the children as Adrian “Akeel” Akeel, 5, and Aleeza Elena, 7.
According to a fundraiser for the family, Aleeza dreamed of becoming a doctor and believed she was “a little angel.” Adrian, who was autistic and nonverbal, was remembered as energetic, charming, and fearless despite the challenges he faced.
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The children were found inside a burned white Hyundai along Richland Hills Drive early Friday morning after a passerby walking a dog spotted the vehicle on fire and called 911.
San Antonio police arrested the children’s mother, 34-year-old Marlene Vidal of Edinburg, at the scene. Authorities said Vidal identified herself as the children’s mother and acknowledged officers would be looking for her in connection with the deaths.
Court records show Vidal faces two capital murder charges and one arson charge. Bond was set at $1 million for each capital murder charge and $100,000 for the arson charge, bringing the total bond amount to $2.1 million.
According to court documents, the judge also imposed several bond conditions, including GPS monitoring, a no-contact order, and a prohibition against possessing firearms. Vidal requested a court-appointed attorney during her magistrate hearing on Friday evening.
By Saturday, community members had transformed the area near the crime scene into a memorial for the children. Stuffed animals, bouquets of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes lined the roadside as neighbors and strangers stopped to pay their respects.
The children’s family is now raising money to help cover funeral and burial expenses.