Teen Charged With Setting L.A. Wildfire

Prosecutors File 2 Felony Counts Against 13-Year-Old, Claim He Sparked Initial 2,100-Acre Blaze in Angeles Nat'l Forest

(CBS/AP)  Los Angeles County prosecutors have filed arson charges against a 13-year-old boy they believe started a 2,100-acre wildfire near Los Angeles last month.

Prosecutors in Pomona charged the boy Friday with two felony counts: arson of a forest and recklessly causing a fire.

The boy's name wasn't released. He's not in custody but the district attorney's office says he must show up for a November arraignment.

If convicted, he could be sent to a juvenile facility until he turns 25.

The boy, who lives in El Monte, is accused of sparking a fire in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa on Aug. 25. The fire scorched more than 3 square miles, but no homes were damaged.

Another arson fire erupted in the forest a day later, burning 250 square miles and destroying 89 homes. Authorities haven't accused the boy of involvement in that blaze.

[rondivoo]

Parents aren't always responsible for what their kids do. Kids are people who make their own decisions that are often in direct contradiction to what they are taught. It is called, "rebellion." Parenting is the toughest job on earth and few do it perfectly. And, even if they do a good job, there is no guarantee the kids will not "mess up." Why anybody wants to have kids is beyond me. It is a thankless, heart-wrenching task, and all you get is the "luck of the draw."

[Zagama]

Bet his parents are pround of his stupid butt............come one...he knew what he was doing was wrong.

[tapersmith]

For those who want to charge him as an adult, give me a break, kids at 13 act impulsively and often do not understand the consequences of thier actions. How many 13 year old boys haven't played with fire from time to time, there is no details listed that even indicate intent. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve to be punished, but no one died, he shouldn't be locked up for the rest of his life.

[aeronautic1]

So let's see if I get this straight - you're guilty until proven innocent?

[snowylynne]

Charge him as an adult.......

[joesacramento]

Hey "credibility2," as harsh as your punishment sounds, there may come a day when such punishment is necessary as a deterrent. People just DON'T CARE about getting punished anymore. THAT is the problem with parenting these days. Corporal punishment is GONE and kids have fear of NOTHING, including God. We leave in scary times. "Spare the rod, spoil the child." That Garrido person says he was never spanked once growing up. Hmmmm

[lloydbest1]

Neither was my mother. She was born in 1914 and raised during an era that fully embraced corporal punishment. She said she was never struck once. Mom grew up to be a respected clinical psychologist and researcher who contributed a lot to the profession.
And in case anyone is wondering, she swatted me a time or two during my childhood.
The point I am trying to make is the severity of the discipline is less important than the consistancy.

[joesacramento]

Sending him to jail until he is 25 will NOT solve the problem. This kid needs LOVE, not JAIL. Our society is so screwed up. Perhaps we should send his parents to jail.

[rbstrcklnd]

Bet you he doesn't come from a stable home life.

[credibility2]

This punk was old enough to know better and the harm starting fires can cause. He should be charged as an adult and then confined for these rest of his life in solitary confinement at a mental facility. His parents should also be charged with these crimes and then be forced to lose all of their material possessions for what their mongrel kid did by destroying property, endangering lives, and consumption of fire and police services. Neither the parents or this kid are deserving of having anything that resembles a reasonable and peaceful life or existence. Their punishment should be a constant reminder of their heinous actions, including not properly raising their kid.

[jumkey]

No, we should build camps and put in them all the people who belong to the same ethnic groups as this kid. Then once we've done that we can round up all the people who disagreed with the initial decision and imprison them as well. When the prisons get too full we can come up with a different "solution".