A man was arrested in New York for allegedly attempting to set a 1-year-old child on fire. During the investigative process, officers discovered a second injured child on the scene.
Jamie Avery Jr., a 28-year-old Florida truck driver, is charged with attempted murder, arson, and additional offenses. The case’s victims are a one-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy, according to KKTV.
“We definitely are touched by these types of cases, and it definitely hits home for those that have children,” said Lt. Timothy Thompson of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.
Tuesday morning in Tyre, New York, investigators say Avery and a second suspect tried to set fire to a 1-year-old child at a truck stop just off the interstate. They allegedly doused the child with an ignitable liquid.
The sheriff of Seneca County, W. Timothy Luce said, “Luckily, the two were unsuccessful.”
The 4-year-old was later discovered with head injuries in the cab of Avery’s tractor-trailer. He was transported to a hospital.
Both children are expected to recover fully. Additionally, a questionable device was found in a restroom, urging the bomb squad to react. The device was a replica and not an actual explosive.
Motive and the nature of Avery’s relationship with the children are among the unanswered questions in this case.
Mark Sinkiewicz, district attorney of Seneca County, stated, “We believe there is a parental relationship, but we haven’t fully determined that yet.”
It is expected that the second suspect will soon face charges. Additional charges could be brought against both suspects if further investigation is conducted.
