Jul 8, 2013 2 min read

Two 13-year-olds appeared in Washington County juvenile court Wednesday before Judge Katherine B. Emery in separate cases alleging they burned abandoned buildings last month in Charleroi, a Mon Valley borough, much of which is on the National Register of Historic Districts.

Both boys were initially taken to Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Facility in Steubenville, Ohio.

Their dispositions were for less than first-degree felony arson, so the judge said she was not required to release their names and addresses.

In their court hearings, they were both ordered to be detained elsewhere for six months, when they will return to court so they can be evaluated. Their dispositions are open-ended, meaning the court did not define the length of confinement, which is based on their rehabilitation, family support and other factors. In this type of case, they cannot be confined beyond age 21.

One 13-year-old admitted to arson at 216 Washington Ave. on June 14, police said. He suffered a cut hand when breaking into the house with an 18-year-old co-defendant, Dominic James Wright of 604 Fallowfield Ave.

Police said it appeared there was a trail of gasoline through the basement, leading to a pile of matches.

“There was minor damage to the basement thanks to the quick response of the fire department,” said Officer William Gardner after the proceeding.

At a preliminary hearing, District Judge Mark Wilson ordered Wright be held for court on two counts of arson and one count each of causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal trespass, corruption of minors and criminal mischief. He remains in the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond.

The very next day, a building at 735 Fallowfield Ave., about five blocks away, was set afire. Initial suspicion that the same person or persons were responsible for that fire were incorrect. Although the young perpetrator tried to hide, police found him and took him into custody. He did not confess to the crime but was found delinquent on the charge after testimony from Charleroi police and fire marshal Shaun Jones.

Police, on behalf of the volunteer fire department, also sought restitution for responding to the emergencies. The fire department submitted $2,455 in expenses related to the Washington Avenue fire and $2,025 for the Fallowfield Avenue fire.

The judge had no comment on the amount, if any, of restitution ordered.