Nearly 200 people gathered Sunday evening at a vigil to remember two young children whose deaths have shaken the San Antonio community after authorities accused their mother of killing them and setting their bodies on fire inside a vehicle.
Family members, neighbors and community advocates brought balloons, candles and stuffed animals to honor the children, ages 5 and 7, during the vigil at the site where first responders discovered the burning car Friday.
Authorities said firefighters and police responded to the 500 block of Richland Hills, near Loop 410 and Highway 151, where they found the vehicle on fire. Inside were the bodies of the two children, while their mother stood outside the car.
Police identified the children’s mother as 34-year-old Marlene Vidal of Edinburg. Investigators said evidence indicated Vidal was solely responsible for the deaths. Authorities also said mental health issues may have played a role in the killings.
The tragedy prompted renewed conversations in the community about mental health and the importance of seeking help.
“There’s such a stigma with mental health illness,” said Pam Allen of the nonprofit Eagles Flight SA. “People don’t like talking about it. It’s seen as a sign of weakness.”
Allen said tragedies involving children often bring communities together and highlight the need for greater awareness and support for families in crisis.
“When we see tragedy like this, we learn to link arms with one another,” Allen said. “It helps us be even more vigilant about children who are in crisis and families who are in crisis.”
Many at the vigil said they attended to support the victims’ relatives and others grieving the loss.
“It was heartbreaking,” Rachel Ortega said. “I have kids of my own, so I couldn’t imagine what the mother’s headspace was or what the family is going through. We just wanted them to know they’re not alone.”
For some, the case reopened painful memories of past family tragedies connected to violence and mental health struggles.
Tiffany Perez, who asked not to show her face on camera, said she lost two cousins in a domestic violence incident in Carrizo Springs in 2014 before their father took his own life.
“Our community is hurting,” Perez said. “This mom was going through something, and only she knows what she was going through, but taking the lives of the children was not the answer. There’s help out there.”
Community advocates at the vigil urged anyone struggling with mental health challenges to seek assistance from local organizations and support services.
“Anybody who’s struggling, we have so many organizations here in San Antonio,” Allen said. “The thing is getting parents and moms to reach out.”
Officials encouraged residents to contact mental health providers, crisis centers or trusted family members and friends if they notice someone in distress.
Anyone impacted by family violence can call the 24/7 Family Violence Prevention Services hotline at 210-733-8810 or visit FVPS.org.
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