WFAA-TV

The woman and her three children were found in a closet.

HALTOM CITY — A Haltom City neighborhood was in shock after police say a 29-year-old mother set her three daughters on fire on Saturday.

Investigators said the woman, whose name was not released, took the childen into a closet, doused them with gasoline, and set them on fire shortly after 11 a.m.

Neighbors in the 3400 block of Edith Lane said they were shocked to see a disoriented woman going door-to-door—followed by her daughters, still on fire.

"The mother was actually banging on the door and started ringing the doorbell," said Raul Ponce, who was getting ready for football practice when he got the shock of a lifetime.

"They were just screaming, 'Why did you do that to us, mom? Why?'" Ponce recalled. "The mom was yelling and running, saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry.'"

Julio Mauritio, a friend of the children, witnessed the aftermath. "When they came out, I saw their face and feet burning and their hands," he said.

The four were all taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas for treatment of severe burns.

The disturbing case brought even trained professionals to tears.

"Just to see that stuff—we're not set up to deal with that and just let it roll off your back," said Haltom City Fire/Rescue Chief Wes Rhodes. "I don't know that I could think of a worse scenario than we have right now."

Rhodes said this was the worst scene he's been a part of in his 22 years on the job.

"I've had similar situations, burn injuries to children, but nothing like this," he said.

The childrens' mother was in police custody at Parkland Hospital and charged with three counts of injury to a child causing serious bodily harm. Her name was being withheld pending a formal arraignment.

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