Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

TikTok Couple Charged in West Virginia Arson After Fire Caused $10,000 Church Damage

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

TikTok Couple Charged in West Virginia Arson After Fire Caused $10,000 Church Damage

Q: Why did investigators say a TikTok couple allegedly set a Charleston fire that destroyed a vacant home and damaged a nearby church?

Investigators have not identified a clear motive. Court records cited by local outlets say only that surveillance video allegedly captured Felicity Eatmon handing Dakota Harper a piece of paper, which was then lit and placed inside the vacant Maryland Avenue house shortly before the fire began. Authorities said the home was abandoned, had no active utilities and had previously been damaged in an earlier fire, which helped investigators rule out an accidental utility-related cause. The video also reportedly showed the pair near the side door and briefly re-entering or partially entering the burning structure before leaving, behavior investigators used to support the arson and conspiracy charges. So far, officials have described what they say happened, but not why. There has been no public indication that the fire was tied to TikTok content, insurance, a dispute, or any other established motive. The known facts are that the blaze destroyed the vacant house, continued smoldering into the next morning, and caused more than $10,000 in damage to nearby Canaan United Methodist Church.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, were charged Tuesday with first-degree arson and conspiracy after a fire destroyed an abandoned Charleston, West Virginia, home and damaged a neighboring church.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Eatmon handing Harper a piece of paper, which was lit and placed inside the vacant house shortly before the 11:15 p.m. Sunday blaze, investigators said.
Canaan United Methodist Church sustained significant damage, with losses possibly exceeding $10,000, while the burned structure continued smoldering into Monday morning.
Both suspects are being held on $10,000 bond; Harper and Eatmon, who post together on TikTok, have about 28,000 followers on the platform.