Judge sets $2.1M bond for mother accused in deaths of two children

SAN ANTONIO – A judge set the woman accused of killing her two young children and setting a vehicle on fire’s bond at $2.1 million.

Court records show Marlene Vidal, 34, faces two capital murder charges and one arson charge. Bond was set at $1 million on each capital murder charge and $100,000 on the arson charge, bringing the total to $2.1 million.

The charges stem from a Friday morning investigation after two children, believed to be 5 and 7 years old, were found dead inside a burned white Hyundai along Richland Hills Drive.

RELATED: Mother charged with capital murder after two kids found dead in burned vehicle

Officers and firefighters responded to the scene between 5 and 6 a.m. after a passerby walking a dog spotted the vehicle on fire. Investigators said the witness encountered a woman at the scene who claimed authorities had already contacted authorities, but the passerby called 911 as well.

Police said Vidal remained at the scene when officers arrived, identified herself as the children’s mother, and acknowledged officers would be looking for her in connection with the deaths.

Authorities identified the victims as a 7-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy. Police said the younger child was autistic and nonverbal.

According to court records, Vidal was formally magistrated Friday evening and requested a court-appointed attorney. The judge imposed multiple bond conditions, including GPS monitoring, a no-contact order, and a prohibition against possessing firearms.

By Saturday, community members had begun leaving flowers, candles and stuffed animals near the area on Richland Hills Drive where the burned vehicle was found, creating a memorial for the two children.