ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester woman who admitted she was drunk and took sleeping pills when she set a 2012 fire that killed four children is now out of prison.
Bobbie Kugler, 37, was released from the Albion Correctional Facility Monday. She served less than six years after being sentenced to seven-to-15 years in prison.
Kugler admitted she lit a picture on fire in her Grape Street home and then went to sleep.
There were seven sleeping children in the home. Four of her children died in the fire. Two other children were injured, but survived by jumping out a window.
Kugler later pleaded guilty to four counts of second degree manslaughter, assault charges and arson back in December of 2012.
She was not charged with intentionally trying to kill her children. She was granted parole in December.
The Board of Parole's decision states that her release was granted based on her positive programming, limited disciplinary record and expressions of remorse for her actions that caused losses of life.
It states as part of her parole she is to refrain from drugs and alcohol, submit to drug testing, find and maintain a job and support her dependent children.
The board also says it received numerous letters in support of Kugler.
The Department of Corrections says she'll now live in Dutchess County — that's about an hour south of Albany.
Her post release supervision continues until April of 2021.
Colleen Bender, who's son was injured in that fire, is upset about Kugler's release. She messaged Spectrum News on Facebook, saying in part:
“I am very upset about all this. We were not told that she was up for parole. This is not right at all. We were told we would be contacted. The D.A. did not do so — we would have taken action if we knew about this. Letters would have been written and sent to the parole board. We are all outraged as to what is going on.”