7-year-old charged with arson for torching family house with family inside
A West Virginia 7-year-old has been charged with first-degree arson for torching the family home while the child’s family was inside.
Police on Thursday arrested the minor’s stepfather, 38-year-old Aaron Hufford of Sandyville, “for child abuse of the same 7-year-old,” the Jackson County, West Virginia, Sheriff’s Department said.
The blaze broke out around noon Wednesday. Two children were treated by first responders for injuries, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Bailey.
“This evening a 7-year-old juvenile is in custody and charged with first degree arson after the family home was intentionally set ablaze with the parents asleep inside,” the sheriff’s office said. “Minor burn injuries occurred to two individuals, but everyone made it out of the home alive.”
Hufford’s arrest came Thursday after video surfaced showing him hitting a child, then picking the kid up “forcefully” before leaving the room, WOWK-TV reported, citing a criminal complaint.
With News Wire Services
