13-YEAR-OLD FOUND GUILTY OF STARTING COCOS FIRE

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By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Wikipedia Commons courtesy of SamBoy

March 25, 2015 (San Diego)—The Cocos Fire charred nearly 2,000 acres and burned down dozens of homes in San Marcos and Harmony Grove in May 2014.  On Wednesday, Judge Howard Shore ruled that a 13-year-old girl was responsible for intentionally and maliciously starting the devastating blaze.

The girl had previously started a small fire in her backyard that was doused by firefighters after her mother called 911.  The next day, even as a devastating firestorm raged in Carlsbad, the young teen lit another small fire further from her home. 

Arson investigators concluded that an ember from that blaze blew nearly a mile to ignite dry brush in a canyon, sparking the Cocos Fire.

“Why would a person, having seen the consequences of setting their first fire, set a second fire the next day?” Judge Shore asked, UT San Diego reports.  But he also stated, “I have no doubt, based on the evidence, that the minor had no intention of burning homes or causing substantial damage to property.”

The teen will face sentencing April 15th in Juvenile court on four charges.  It is not yet clear what punishment she will face due to her young age at the time of the crime. 

Her parents could be forced to pay restitution, up to certain limits set in state law, for the damage caused by the firestorm.

The defense had argued that investigators were wrong to conclude that an ember traveled a mile to spark the Cocos Fire, contending that there could have been someone else in the canyon who was responsible.


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Comments

She needs counseling

There are serious problems in her home. Maybe her parents are inattentive or abusive. Or something worse, starting fires can be a sign of sexual abuse. I hope she gets the help she needs.