The childrens' mother Tatiana Meakens, 23, has been charged with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment, according to Chicago Police News Affairs. Their aunt, 22-year-old Britany Meakens, was charged with the same counts, authorities said.
The children were left home alone and died when a fire erupted at their West Englewood home around 3:23 a.m. Saturday, according to authorities.
The childrens' two older cousins escaped the fire and are now in state custody, authorities said.
One of the boys who got out told a neighbor that all four children were left alone in the house.
"They were just standing there shivering. No coat, no shoes," neighbor Michelle Washington said Saturday. "When we brought them in, they told us their aunt and their mom left them in the house alone. Told them to go to sleep."
Both women are expected to appear in court Monday, police said.
