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

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Luciano: Mom recalls Goodfield inferno that killed five loved ones

Goodfield mobile-home fire that killed five was set intentionally, authorities say

Child, 9, charged with murder in Goodfield fire

 

[borndem]

Is arrest the only way to get this 9 y/o the therapy he obviously needs? If so, then I'm for it. He certainly could be a budding pyromaniac.

Below is info about pyromania that I found very informative. Like so many disorders, it is often rooted in childhood.

Causes of Pyromania
In looking at what causes pyromania there are two groups of factors—individual and environmental.
When considering the individual causes of pyromania, a person’s social life and experience are some of the most important factors. Some examples would be:

• Being the victim of bullying
• Lack of social supports including siblings or friendships
• Lack of attention from adult caregivers
• Inappropriate sexual urges

Environmental factors include early-life traumas and witness to pyromaniac behaviors as a child. For example, pyromania may be caused by:

• Experiencing neglect as a child
• Victim of physical or sexual abuse as a child
• Watching older adolescents and adults set fires frequently

These factors that may cause pyromania are relatively common traits. Thus, it should not be assumed that someone with these traits is fated to be a pyromaniac. People diagnosed with pyromania disorder have a marked inability to control impulses and typically have several of these causative factors.
Who is at Risk for Pyromania Disorder?
Most cases of pyromania disorder are found in children and adolescents. Pyromaniacs often have traits of antisocial personality disorder. They may have criminal charges and frequently display defiant and delinquent behaviors such as refusing to attend school, running away, and vandalism. Children and teens diagnosed with ADHD or adjustment disorders may be more likely to engage in pyromaniac behaviors. Often a person has recently or is currently undergoing a period of intense stress prior to the beginning of fire setting.

Pyromania

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Park Manager Shawn Johnson also was one of the first to arrive on the scene.

“I got a call about the fire and that I needed to get over here,” he said. “I didn’t realize the extent until I came around the corner and saw the flames coming out. The living room area was fully engulfed. When I ran around to the back side, it was even worse. At least three-quarters of the trailer was on fire and I could feel the heat.”

The fire remains under investigation by the Woodford County Sheriff’s Department, the Eureka Goodfield Fire Department, the Woodford County Coroner’s office, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Fire Marshall.

“Anytime you lose a life, it’s a big deal, but to the people in this park, it’s heartfelt and hits real close to home,” he said. “I know the folks that were in there. Jason is a combat veteran and we would talk. I was never in combat, but I know just recently he was going to get help from the Veterans Administration. He was a quiet guy and never bothered anyone. He had a job at the local gas station for a while."

Siebert said she also saw the family on several occasions.

“They were a nice family and would always say hello,” Siebert said. “It was always fun to see the kids playing outside.”

“I kept hearing it over in my head all night long, just children crying and moms crying for their babies. It’s horrible. I have spent years in EMS and like Shawn in the service, we have been seasoned. It never leaves. You just want to go in and hug all of your children and grandchildren and neighbors.”

“My granddaughter came and woke me up and told me there was a fire and we might have to leave,” said Marie Chockley, who lives a few blocks from the destroyed mobile home. “I looked out and the flames were really high in the air. What a terrible tragedy, such a terrible loss. Bless their hearts.”
'Bless their hearts:' 3 children, 2 adults killed in Goodfield mobile home fire

 

[imstilla.grandma]

• Neighbors look for ways to help survivors of Goodfield fire

• Officials rule fatal Goodfield deaths homicides; fire intentionally set

• Child, 9, charged with murder, arson in Goodfield fire that killed five

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Woodford County State’s Attorney Greg Minger said the child was not in custody Tuesday. Minger wouldn't provide specifics on the juvenile's gender and current whereabouts, citing privacy restrictions involving juvenile crime suspects.

“It is a little bit different than with an adult case because the proceedings will be closed,” he said. “Many of the elements are the same, but we are unable to give specifics, as we might be able to do in a similar situation with an adult.”

A defendant is a juvenile if the offense was a felony and occurred when the defendant was 16 or younger. If convicted, the child could be placed on probation for at least five years but not beyond the age of 21, and could be eligible to receive therapy and counseling. A youth must be at least 13 years old, but not older than 18, to be committed to housing with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

In this April 18, 2019, file photo, a burned child's toy lies in the mud after an April 6 trailer fire at 14 Cypress Court in the Timberline Trailer Court, north of Goodfield.

The child's age also precludes Minger from discussing any relationship between the child and the victims, he said.

The 9-year-old was charged with five counts of murder, two counts of arson and one count of aggravated arson. The aggravated arson charge is based on the conclusion that the child knew people were in the home at the time the fire was started.

If the juvenile is under 12 years old, police can only hold him or her for six hours, according to Illinois Legal Aid Online. An attorney will be appointed for the child and the verdict and possible sentence would be decided by a judge.
Child, 9, charged with murder, arson in Goodfield fire that killed five

 

[katydid23]

Woodford County State’s Attorney Greg Minger said the child was not in custody Tuesday. Minger wouldn't provide specifics on the juvenile's gender and current whereabouts, citing privacy restrictions involving juvenile crime suspects.

If the juvenile is under 12 years old, police can only hold him or her for six hours, according to Illinois Legal Aid Online. An attorney will be appointed for the child and the verdict and possible sentence would be decided by a judge.
Child, 9, charged with murder, arson in Goodfield fire that killed five


Can't specify gender yet? I have assumed it was a boy, but maybe not.

Police can only hold the suspected murderer for 6 hours. So someone has to house them. Is the suspect home with a grandparent or an Aunt or Uncle? That would be awkward.

Hopefully they can be hospitalised for now.

 

[Hatfield]

9-year-old charged with murder in 5 Illinois fire deaths

Terribly sad situation but can a 9 year old be charged with murder?

Wow So sad and what a quandry it puts the courts in.

What I cant figure out is the relationship of the child suspect to the victims. Like was he staying with them or was he a neighbors kid or something ?

Whatever the relationship it seems that LE must have determined he set the fire on purpose because otherwise it would have been declared an accident. So it seems obvious the 9 year old set the fire on purpose IMO.

Im sure the 9 year old did not fully understand the permanent result of his actions. IMO I think sometimes young children like that do understand they may kill someone but I dont think they fully comprehend the finality and the impact of doing that. They definitely do not foresee all the permanent damage they have caused other relatives and other people.

I dont know if its just me or not but I have concluded that in the past 30 years or so, it seems that perpetrators of violent crime and murders seem to be getting younger and younger age. About 20 or 30 years ago we always heard about teens that could do these sorts of things and nowadays it has gotten into single digit age and lower double digit numbers like 10-12 year olds even.

20 or 30 years ago I do not recall so many really young people being charged with adult type crimes. Maybe it was always there and we just didnt hear about it as much because of not having internet. That is a possibility.
But one thing I am convinced of is that gang members have become younger and younger. These days it is not uncommon to see very young kids in gangs.

Just sad all the way around. We have to do better as a society to influence young kids in the right path of life.

 

[Scrapper18]

Well, this part:

"Nine-year-olds don't know that Santa Claus doesn't exist. They don't know people die and don't come back to life," he said.

Is nonsense IMO. By 9 most kids are very aware Santa doesn't exist and most know people don't comeback from the dead, at that age. Except the infellectually disabled.

But the charges might be the only way to ensure the kid gets intensive care. I don't know. They said he can only be sentenced to probation? Nothing more?

He needs to be placed a hospital and stay there for several years, IMO. To get where he did means he's got some deep issues.

I don't think kids that age typically kill parents unless there's some heavy abuse happening.

I agree that the knowledge of who is really Santa and the finality of death exist by age 9. I also agree he needs some in depth, residential help, counseling, etc.

I disagree with your thought of kids killing parents only occurs when “heavy abuse” is occurring. We have a 13yo son who has been hospitalized and is currently in weekly counseling. While he has never acted on it, he has admitted to homicidal thoughts. He is adopted and has a trauma background. However, he has experienced -0- abuse since coming to us at age 11 months. We don’t even spank!

 

[Hatfield]

Duplicate thread

Thanks for letting me know. I think I will put my same comments i just wrote in the other thread except I cant find it.

ETA - Do you happen to have a link or can point me to where the other thread is?
ETAA - I found it. I will flag my post here and ask a MOD if they can maybe delete this thread since this other one below is more active and same topic.

IL -9-year-old charged *MURDER* *5 Illinois fire deaths*; Goodfield, 9 Oct 2019

 

[Betty P]

Well, this part:

"Nine-year-olds don't know that Santa Claus doesn't exist. They don't know people die and don't come back to life," he said.

Is nonsense IMO. By 9 most kids are very aware Santa doesn't exist and most know people don't comeback from the dead, at that age. Except the infellectually disabled.

But the charges might be the only way to ensure the kid gets intensive care. I don't know. They said he can only be sentenced to probation? Nothing more?

He needs to be placed a hospital and stay there for several years, IMO. To get where he did means he's got some deep issues.

I don't think kids that age typically kill parents unless there's some heavy abuse happening.

That was my question, what is their motivation for charging him with murder? If a murder conviction is the only means of ensuring he gets the care (not incarceration) that he needs, well maybe.
He should only be charged as a juvenile, not an adult.

I agree, at 9 years of age, childrens' brains aren't fully developed and they're not fully capable of understanding the full consequences of their actions. They can't yet control their emotions and impulses.

 

[claudianunes]

This kid has/had a YouTube channel, where he posted videos. He seems like a normal kid, singing baby shark and doing the Fortnite dance moves. I'm not sure if I can post the link to the channel, but it's not hard to find.

 

[Hatfield]

There was a duplicate thread that I just posted in, so wanted to share my thoughts here too.

Wow So sad and what a quandry it puts the courts in.

What I cant figure out is the relationship of the child suspect to the victims. Like was he staying with them or was he a neighbors kid or something ?

Whatever the relationship it seems that LE must have determined he set the fire on purpose because otherwise it would have been declared an accident. So it seems obvious the 9 year old set the fire on purpose IMO.

Im sure the 9 year old did not fully understand the permanent result of his actions. IMO I think sometimes young children like that do understand they may kill someone but I dont think they fully comprehend the finality and the impact of doing that. They definitely do not foresee all the permanent damage they have caused other relatives and other people.

I dont know if its just me or not but I have concluded that in the past 30 years or so, it seems that perpetrators of violent crime and murders seem to be getting younger and younger age. About 20 or 30 years ago we always heard about teens that could do these sorts of things and nowadays it has gotten into single digit age and lower double digit numbers like 10-12 year olds even.

20 or 30 years ago I do not recall so many really young people being charged with adult type crimes. Maybe it was always there and we just didnt hear about it as much because of not having internet. That is a possibility.
But one thing I am convinced of is that gang members have become younger and younger. These days it is not uncommon to see very young kids in gangs.

Just sad all the way around. We have to do better as a society to influence young kids in the right path of life.

 

[claudianunes]

There was a duplicate thread that I just posted in, so wanted to share my thoughts here too.

Wow So sad and what a quandry it puts the courts in.

What I cant figure out is the relationship of the child suspect to the victims. Like was he staying with them or was he a neighbors kid or something ?

Whatever the relationship it seems that LE must have determined he set the fire on purpose because otherwise it would have been declared an accident. So it seems obvious the 9 year old set the fire on purpose IMO.

Im sure the 9 year old did not fully understand the permanent result of his actions. IMO I think sometimes young children like that do understand they may kill someone but I dont think they fully comprehend the finality and the impact of doing that. They definitely do not foresee all the permanent damage they have caused other relatives and other people.

I dont know if its just me or not but I have concluded that in the past 30 years or so, it seems that perpetrators of violent crime and murders seem to be getting younger and younger age. About 20 or 30 years ago we always heard about teens that could do these sorts of things and nowadays it has gotten into single digit age and lower double digit numbers like 10-12 year olds even.

20 or 30 years ago I do not recall so many really young people being charged with adult type crimes. Maybe it was always there and we just didnt hear about it as much because of not having internet. That is a possibility.
But one thing I am convinced of is that gang members have become younger and younger. These days it is not uncommon to see very young kids in gangs.

Just sad all the way around. We have to do better as a society to influence young kids in the right path of life.

The oldest victim is his great-grandmother, the male victim is either the father or the stepfather, two of the babies are his siblings, and the other baby is his cousin. The other person who survived was his mom.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Timberline Mobile Home Park
7 Pynes Dr
Goodfield, IL 61742


Google Maps

 

[Hatfield]

The oldest victim is his great-grandmother, the male victim is either the father or the stepfather, two of the babies are his siblings, and the other baby is his cousin. The other person who survived was his mom.

Thank you.

I was not expecting that at all. I was thinking he had to be a neighbors boy or something. To think he did this to his own family members makes it all the more shocking to me.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A tenant had alerted park manager Shawn Johnson late Saturday night about the fire. He arrived shortly before first responders.

“When I came around the corner, the house was pretty much fully engulfed,” Johnson said. “I did run down by the windows to see if I could see anything, but the heat was just overwhelming. There was nothing you could do at that point.

“I was amazed at how fast that trailer went up.”

Added Johnson: “This has never happened in the 15 years I’ve been here. A lot of people that were here felt helpless, knowing what was going on, and that they couldn’t do anything.”

Johnson and Siebert said they have plans to try and prevent another such tragedy in their community of mobile home owners.

“I’m going to express the importance of having fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and even having an escape route for your kids,” Johnson said.

“We’re going to learn from this tragedy,” Siebert said. “We’re going to put together a community action plan.”
3 children among 5 killed in fire

 

[imstilla.grandma]

There was a duplicate thread that I just posted in, so wanted to share my thoughts here too.

Wow So sad and what a quandry it puts the courts in.

What I cant figure out is the relationship of the child suspect to the victims. Like was he staying with them or was he a neighbors kid or something ?

Whatever the relationship it seems that LE must have determined he set the fire on purpose because otherwise it would have been declared an accident. So it seems obvious the 9 year old set the fire on purpose IMO.

Im sure the 9 year old did not fully understand the permanent result of his actions. IMO I think sometimes young children like that do understand they may kill someone but I dont think they fully comprehend the finality and the impact of doing that. They definitely do not foresee all the permanent damage they have caused other relatives and other people.

I dont know if its just me or not but I have concluded that in the past 30 years or so, it seems that perpetrators of violent crime and murders seem to be getting younger and younger age. About 20 or 30 years ago we always heard about teens that could do these sorts of things and nowadays it has gotten into single digit age and lower double digit numbers like 10-12 year olds even.

20 or 30 years ago I do not recall so many really young people being charged with adult type crimes. Maybe it was always there and we just didnt hear about it as much because of not having internet. That is a possibility.
But one thing I am convinced of is that gang members have become younger and younger. These days it is not uncommon to see very young kids in gangs.

Just sad all the way around. We have to do better as a society to influence young kids in the right path of life.

IL -9-year-old charged *MURDER* *5 Illinois fire deaths*; Goodfield, 9 Oct 2019

 

[claudianunes]

I just can't believe this little kid set fire to the home with intent to kill anyone. Could he have been playing with something he shouldn't have? Like a lighter or matches? But if that was the case he wouldn't have been charged with all of those charges, would he?