By the time she was 34 years old, Neives Sandi Dawn was going through some tough times. She had five children, she was struggling financially, she was going through a divorce, and her boyfriend had just left her.
On July 1st, 1998, she told her children to sleep in the living room. She poured gasoline around them as they slept, and then she lit it on fire.
The kids started waking up, and Nieves ordered them not to move.
Her 14-year-old son escaped the home and survived. 5-year-old Jaulene, 7-year-old Kristi, 11-year-old Rashal, and 12-year-old Nikolet all died of smoke inhalation.
At her trial, prosecutors said Sandy did it to get revenge on the men in her life.
Nieves claimed she remembered holding the lighter but forgot what happened after that.
She was convicted and sentenced to death on October 6th, 2000.
Her sentence was reversed on appeal on May 3rd, 2021.. She is now serving life without the possibility of parole.
DOB:
1964Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder (4 counts)
- Attempted murder
Date of crime:
July 1st, 1998Location(s):
Santa Clarita, CADate of arrest:
Same DayDetails:
Set her home on fire and killed her four daughters.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Jaulene Folden(5)
- Kristi Folden (7)
- Rashal Nieves (11)
- Nikolet Nieves(12)
- 14 year old boy (survived)
Method:
FireSentence:
Life without paroleCurrent whereabouts:
California Institution for Women in ChinoLast Updated on 08/04/2026
