Minors Charged in Multiple Arson Cases Across Indiana, California, Mississippi

In multiple incidents involving juvenile arson across the United States, minors have been charged with intentionally setting fires causing significant property damage. In Auburn, Indiana, two juveniles ignited a playground fire near I-69, resulting in over $75,000 in repair costs, with charges being sent to the local prosecutor. In Lemoore, California, two children set off a legal firework that spread to brush fires, damaging structures and closing a highway, leading to their arrest and detention. Meanwhile, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, two 10-year-old boys were arrested for setting fire to three school buses at H.W. Byers High School, destroying the buses and creating a shortage ahead of the new school year; the children were released to their parents pending a youth court hearing. Local officials expressed concern over youth involvement in such crimes and are working to mitigate the impact on affected communities, including finding solutions for bus shortages in Mississippi. These cases highlight ongoing challenges with juvenile arson and its consequences on public safety and infrastructure.