10yr Old responsible for 32 fires
- added April 10, 2008
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The mother of a 10-year-old boy arrested in connection with 32 fires, including a blaze that left a family homeless, says she knew her son had a problem.
"We've been trying to get him help through the school system for two years now," she said yesterday, adding her son was recently placed in a school for troubled youth and appeared to be making progress.
BECAME AWARE
The mother asked for anonymity to protect the identity of her son and his five siblings.
She first became aware her son was setting fires after a garage blaze last year.
"I went to the fireman and told him. They got him into a fire-prevention program," she said, noting he only spoke to a counsellor once.
The mom stressed her other children haven't had behavioural issues and it is unfair for people to suggest she or her husband should be charged for their son's actions.
"I don't try to hide things if my children do something," she said.
The boy was arrested Sunday but is too young to be charged with any offence. In addition to other incidents, the boy is accused of breaking into a home on Burrows Avenue on Saturday and setting it on fire, leaving Sarah Favel and her two children without a home or possessions.
But the accused's mother doesn't believe her son lit all 32 of the fires he's been linked to and wonders about the tactics police used in questioning him, which included speaking to him for about five hours before she was able to talk with her son. She fears her child is being used as a scapegoat for other crimes, including making prank calls to 911.
Investigators determined the number of fires the child was linked to after he allowed officers to take him for a ride to point out what he had done, said police spokesman Const. Blair Good.
"The investigators can't comment on the specifics of the interview process and as such we have no information as to who spoke with the youth and for how long," said Good.
'WE ARE SORRY'
But regardless, the boy's mother apologized for the damage he has caused.
"We know he has a problem and we are dealing with it ... we are sorry," she said.
The Grade 5 student is being held at a Child and Family Services crisis unit. His parents are supporting the move, which will see him receive intensive treatment.
And that is a relief to Favel, who is working to put her life back together.
"I don't want him to hurt anyone," she said yesterday. "I just want to know he is getting the help he needs."
"We've been trying to get him help through the school system for two years now," she said yesterday, adding her son was recently placed in a school for troubled youth and appeared to be making progress.
BECAME AWARE
The mother asked for anonymity to protect the identity of her son and his five siblings.
She first became aware her son was setting fires after a garage blaze last year.
"I went to the fireman and told him. They got him into a fire-prevention program," she said, noting he only spoke to a counsellor once.
The mom stressed her other children haven't had behavioural issues and it is unfair for people to suggest she or her husband should be charged for their son's actions.
"I don't try to hide things if my children do something," she said.
The boy was arrested Sunday but is too young to be charged with any offence. In addition to other incidents, the boy is accused of breaking into a home on Burrows Avenue on Saturday and setting it on fire, leaving Sarah Favel and her two children without a home or possessions.
But the accused's mother doesn't believe her son lit all 32 of the fires he's been linked to and wonders about the tactics police used in questioning him, which included speaking to him for about five hours before she was able to talk with her son. She fears her child is being used as a scapegoat for other crimes, including making prank calls to 911.
Investigators determined the number of fires the child was linked to after he allowed officers to take him for a ride to point out what he had done, said police spokesman Const. Blair Good.
"The investigators can't comment on the specifics of the interview process and as such we have no information as to who spoke with the youth and for how long," said Good.
'WE ARE SORRY'
But regardless, the boy's mother apologized for the damage he has caused.
"We know he has a problem and we are dealing with it ... we are sorry," she said.
The Grade 5 student is being held at a Child and Family Services crisis unit. His parents are supporting the move, which will see him receive intensive treatment.
And that is a relief to Favel, who is working to put her life back together.
"I don't want him to hurt anyone," she said yesterday. "I just want to know he is getting the help he needs."
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