In Interest of Anita H.

HESTER, Judge:

The issue presented by this case is whether an adjudication of dependency of minor children can be made without first determining whether a non-custodial parent is available to provide proper care and control.

The facts of this case are as follows. Alice H., the mother of the three minor children who are the subjects of this appeal, Anita H., Jamell B., and Frank W., left them and another child, Valerie H., alone in her apartment to visit a neighbor. While she was absent, one child started a fire with a cigarette lighter. The fire resulted in Valerie’s death and the…