Teen Accused Of Setting Boy On Fire Goes Before Juvenile Court Judge
BUTLER (KDKA) -- A man is already facing trial, accused of helping to set a young boy on fire.
That man's teenage son stood before a juvenile court judge today for his part in the alleged assault.
The boy's young mother held a picture of the way her smiling son, Daniel, once looked.
"Every time I look at my son's face, it takes everything not to just cry," said Laura Halliwell, the victim's mother.
Edward Myers, a man she thought she loved and lived with for two years along with his teenage son, are accused of critically burning 7-year-old Daniel. Edwards allegedly recorded the incident on his cell phone.
"I wish I would have seen anything that would have given me any idea he was capable of doing something like that," said Halliwell.
Myers, 36, is charged with dousing Daniel with flammable nail polish remover at their Saxonburg home. Myers' 15-year-old son is charged with actually lighting the boy on fire.
"Daniel will never be the same," said Halliwell. "He had his first day of school on Tuesday, terrified because of the way his face looks."
Halliwell shared hospital photos of Daniel with third-degree burns on his face and chest. He was in the burn unit for a month and still has a lot of reconstructive surgery ahead of him.
With her mother beside her, Halliwell was in court to tell a juvenile court judge about the impact that the actions of the 15-year-old has had on their lives.
"I am fearful of what he may do without supervision because of what he has already done to me and my child," she said.
Media was not permitted to attend the hearing, but the teenager will reportedly move to permanent placement, and may remain there until he's 21-years-old.
"The defendant has not only left scars on our bodies, he has left scars on our hearts," Halliwell added.
RELATED LINKS:
Man Accused Of Abusing Ex-Girlfriend's Son In Court (7/30/13)
Charges Changed As Man Accused Of Setting Boy On Fire Heads To Trial (8/13/13)
More Reports by Mary Robb Jackson
