WV - 7 year old sets fire to apt w/parents sleeping inside, 1st degree arson, stepfather also later arrested for CA, Sandyville, 24 May 2023 *arrests*

[imstilla.grandma]

Police arrested a 7-year-old child, who was later charged with first-degree arson, after he allegedly set his parents' house ablaze while they kept sleeping inside, reported CBS News. The incident was reported in Jackson County, which is around 40 miles northwest of Charleston.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department in West Virginia, US posted a picture of the home engulfed in fire on Facebook. In its post, the department stated that the child had set the house on fire intentionally while his parents were inside.

Two people suffered minor burns in the house, but everyone present inside the home survived, stated the police. The child was taken into custody by the authorities and was charged with first-degree arson.

Speaking about the incident, the police department wrote, ''This evening a 7-year-old juvenile is in custody and charged with 1st-degree arson after the family home was intentionally set ablaze with the parents asleep inside. Minor burn injuries occurred to two individuals, but everyone made it out of the home alive. No further information will be released regarding the investigation because of the sensitive nature of the case. Special thanks go out this evening to the responding volunteer fire departments and the WV State Fire Marshal's Office.''

The department next day stated that the stepfather of the child was arrested on suspicion of child abuse. Investigators believe the child, who committed arson, was being abused by the stepfather.

In a Facebook post, the department wrote, ''Aaron Hufford, age 38 of Sandyville, WV and stepfather to the 7-year-old suspect from yesterday's 1st Degree Arson event, has been arrested for Child Abuse of the same 7-year-old. The thorough investigation continues with Detective Seth Fisher and Detective Gary Baldwin leading the way. No further details will be provided at this time.''

7 year old sets house on fire with parents inside, stepfather arrested for abuse, police say

After a West Virginia child started a house fire with their parents inside, the child's stepfather was arrested on abuse charges, authorities said.

www.usatoday.com

Eta: *Apologies for writing apt instead of house or home in title

 

[LoveyG]

Sorry to say, but, if the CA allegations are true, I'm not feeling too bad about the fire. MOO.

 

[MissMalowe]

Step-dad abuses child.
Child sets fire to house with Step-father & mother inside too (and others?)
Did mom (or others?) know about the abuse & did nothing, I wonder?

 

[PromotedPawn]

Well then.... I'm impressed. MOO

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I think this is going to turn out to be another horrific case.

The comments under the first post on the sheriffs office page are interesting. The home and indoor cameras and there is a video out there. It's distressing. JMO

 

[caradana]

Does the state of West Virginia actually charge seven-year-olds?!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Does the state of West Virginia actually charge seven-year-olds?!

Idk, but Illinois charged a 9 year old boy as an adult when he intentionally set fire to their trailer but there were fatalities.

IL - Child, 9, charged in fire deaths of 5 people, Goodfield, 6 Apr 2019 #2

A 9-year-old child accused of causing a mobile home fire that killed three children and two adults in central Illinois has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder. The juvenile also was charged with two counts of arson and one count of aggravated arson, the (Peoria) Journal Star...

www.websleuths.com

 

[Knox]

Jackson County WV Sheriff's Department ·​

UPDATE FROM YESTERDAY'S ARSON CASE:​

Aaron Hufford, age 38 of Sandyville, WV and stepfather to the 7 year old suspect from yesterday's 1st Degree Arson event, has been arrested for Child Abuse of the same 7 year old. The thorough investigation continues with Detective Seth Fisher and Detective Gary Baldwin leading the way. No further details will be provided at this time.





Watch video at link below for details not stated in article-

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office confirms Hufford is accused of abusing the 7-year-old accused of arson.

A criminal complaint states a video was sent to an investigator that shows Hufford hitting the 7-year-old on the buttocks several times and picking him up forcefully under the arms, removing him from a room.

During an interview with law enforcement, Hufford described his actions in the video as “excessive.”

The criminal complaint goes on to say, “Based on the suspects admission to the excessive nature of the strikes, it is reasonable to believe that there was potential for bodily harm.”

Stepfather of child accused of setting home on fire arrested, charged with child abuse

The fire was reported just after 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Medina area.

www.wsaz.com

 

[Knox]

Can a seven year-old child form criminal intent? California penal code for reference ...

What is capacity? California law presumes that youth under the age of 14 are not capable of committing a crime unless “at the time of committing the act charged against them, they knew its wrongfulness.” (Penal Code § 26; In re Gladys R.)
Under 14 Years Old - Public Defender Office

 

[Rolypolyoly]

A quick Google just told me that Virginia is one of a few states that has no minimum age for prosecution

ETA- Actually, not a few. 24 states according to google

 

[Knox]

A quick Google just told me that Virginia is one of a few states that has no minimum age for prosecution

ETA- Actually, not a few. 24 states according to google

Despite what WV law allows - I have a major problem with the arrest of a seven year-old child.
The news article I linked above, states in the video portion - the child is currently being held in a hospital.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Despite what WV law allows - I have a major problem with the arrest of a seven year-old child.

Me too!

 

[caradana]

I guess I’ll say this. From what little I know, pix of mom, pix of house public on FB associated with a POI, etc — I think this little guy is best served in an institutional setting. I do not believe this is a case where a loving foster home can repair or turn around the depth of this kind of trauma, which I see as pre-existing the fire and maybe present at birth. I do not believe this is the first fire and I don’t believe this will be the last, there are precedent cases we can look to here. If charging a 7yo with that means that the social services organizations of WV can activate most appropriate placement, good. I suspect that may be what this means, the unspoken aspect. This is not a kid who is ready to go into the suburban split-level with a functional couple and a golden retriever. There are layers of damage here that I believe people will deserve awards for as they attempt to treat in the years ahead. Maybe that charge helps keep him and all of us collectively safe.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Does the state of West Virginia actually charge seven-year-olds?!

In West Virginia, charges may be brought against children by citation or by criminal complaint, but the rules for juvenile arrests vary by state. In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law legislation that prevents children under the age of 12 from facing arrest and prosecution for virtually all crimes in the state.

Arrests of children in the U.S. are not uncommon. During the 2017-2018 school year, more than 700 children were arrested in U.S. elementary schools, according to CBS News' analysis.

7-year-old arrested and charged with arson after family's home intentionally set on fire

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department in West Virginia said the child intentionally set fire to the house with his parents inside.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Allabouttrial]

In West Virginia, charges may be brought against children by citation or by criminal complaint, but the rules for juvenile arrests vary by state. In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law legislation that prevents children under the age of 12 from facing arrest and prosecution for virtually all crimes in the state.

Arrests of children in the U.S. are not uncommon. During the 2017-2018 school year, more than 700 children were arrested in U.S. elementary schools, according to CBS News' analysis.

7-year-old arrested and charged with arson after family's home intentionally set on fire

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department in West Virginia said the child intentionally set fire to the house with his parents inside.

www.cbsnews.com

From what little I've read I don't think for 1 sec. that this kid will be prosecuted.

For a start they charged him with arson and not attempted murder. Mind you that may come later, but I just can't see it.

 

[Penny68]

Devastating what this child did, and prior what he himself was put through at the hands of his step-father.

Possibly in his immature mind he wanted his punishment stopped and that was the only way he could think to achieve that.

All that can be hoped for is he is given the best of care, and professional help for as long as is deemed needed, to hopefully set him straight for his future.

 

[Allabouttrial]

Step-dad's FB

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

[Helechawagirl]

I guess I’ll say this. From what little I know, pix of mom, pix of house public on FB associated with a POI, etc — I think this little guy is best served in an institutional setting. I do not believe this is a case where a loving foster home can repair or turn around the depth of this kind of trauma, which I see as pre-existing the fire and maybe present at birth. I do not believe this is the first fire and I don’t believe this will be the last, there are precedent cases we can look to here. If charging a 7yo with that means that the social services organizations of WV can activate most appropriate placement, good. I suspect that may be what this means, the unspoken aspect. This is not a kid who is ready to go into the suburban split-level with a functional couple and a golden retriever. There are layers of damage here that I believe people will deserve awards for as they attempt to treat in the years ahead. Maybe that charge helps keep him and all of us collectively safe.

I agree. It does seem that the stepfather spanked the child; some consider that abuse and some do not; however, doesn’t rise to the level of burning the house down. I was spanked as a child and haven’t tried to kill anyone. Perhaps there is more abuse as well? I need more information before forming an opinion. JMO

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I agree. It does seem that the stepfather spanked the child; some consider that abuse and some do not; however, doesn’t rise to the level of burning the house down. I was spanked as a child and haven’t tried to kill anyone. Perhaps there is more abuse as well? I need more information before forming an opinion. JMO

Spanked? Did you see the footage?

 

[MissMalowe]

A criminal complaint states a video was sent to an investigator that shows Hufford hitting the 7-year-old on the buttocks several times and picking him up forcefully under the arms, removing him from a room.

During an interview with law enforcement, Hufford described his actions in the video as “excessive.”

The criminal complaint goes on to say, “Based on the suspects admission to the excessive nature of the strikes, it is reasonable to believe that there was potential for bodily harm.”

These were (I think?) the only details given about the incident.

Edited to add: Was this home security camera footage or was this video made on a phone or other recording device? Anyone know?