Amarillo Mother Involved in Ac­ci­dental Poisoning Death of 4 Children in Critical Condition

AMARILLO, Texas — A Texas woman is in critical condition Tuesday following an accidental poisoning under her home that killed four of her children and sickened five other family members, hospital and fire officials said.

Crews who responded to a 5 a.m. call to the home on Monday originally thought it was related to carbon monoxide poisoning, but authorities later determined that phosphine gas was likely released when the father used water to wash away pesticide pellets he had placed under the mobile home. One child died at the scene and three others died at a hospital.

Police officials have a criminal investigation underway into the accidental poisoning. A professional certification or license is required to purchase the product, called Weevil-Cide. The father does not have license, says officials. 

The father told first responders through an interpreter that he obtained the pesticide from a friend.

Aluminum phosphide is frequently used to get rid of pests like mice and gophers. When mixed with water or any moisture, it produces a toxic gas, which is what took the lives of the occupants.

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Martha Balderas, 45, of Amarillo was hospitalized Tuesday at University Medical Center in Lubbock, according to a hospital spokesman. Her husband and four of their children were in stable condition at BSA Health System in Amarillo, according to the hospital and fire officials.

Fire officials said the children who died were three boys aged 7, 9 and 11, and a 17-year-old girl. Officials have said all four children lived at the home.

Investigators said it's unclear how long the residents had been exposed to the phosphine gas before a visitor arrived Monday and found everyone sick and called 911. Phosphine gas can cause respiratory failure and in severe cases can cause a pulmonary edema, which fills the lungs full of fluid.

About 10 first responders from the police, fire and medical response departments were also taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, but none had shown symptoms of illness.