Sheriff: 7-year-old arrested, charged with arson after setting house on fire

JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. — A 7-year-old boy was arrested in Jackson County, West Virginia accused of setting his house on fire, officials say.

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Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said that Wednesday evening a child was taken into custody and charged with first-degree arson for intentionally setting his house on fire while his parents were inside sleeping.

Police did not say why the boy, whose name was not released, allegedly set the home on fire, which happened around 12 p.m., according to WOWK.

Charges can be brought against children by criminal complaint or citation in West Virginia, according to CBS News.

The sheriff’s office said everyone made it out of the house alive, but that two people had minor burns.

Several fire departments were called out, as were the state fire marshal, medics and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, WASZ reported.

The sheriff’s office also announced on Thursday that Aaron Hufford, 38, the boy’s stepfather, was arrested, accused of child abuse but provided no further information.

In a criminal complaint obtained by WOWK, deputies said they learned about a video of Hufford that allegedly showed him hitting a child, picking the child up, and leaving the room.