Two TikTok influencers face felony arson charges after authorities say they set fire to an abandoned West Virginia house, sending flames to a neighboring church and causing more than $10,000 in estimated damage.
Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon, both 22, were arrested Sept. 29 following the Sept. 27 fire in Charleston that damaged Canaan United Methodist Church, The Christian Post reported. Both face charges of first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson.
Surveillance footage obtained by the Charleston fire marshal allegedly captured the pair approaching the vacant house shortly before the blaze.
The criminal complaint alleges Eatmon handed Harper what appeared to be a piece of paper in an alley beside the building. Harper allegedly ignited it and placed it inside the house through a side entrance, according to The Christian Post’s account of the complaint.
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The footage also allegedly showed the pair partially entering the house as the fire grew. Eatmon then left the area, while Harper had already moved beyond the camera’s view.
The fire spread to Canaan United Methodist Church, extending the damage beyond the abandoned property.
Harper’s bond was increased from $10,000 to $20,000 at his preliminary hearing, and he was ordered to remain confined to his home, WCHS News reported. His attorney requested placement in a facility where he could receive care.
A friend attending the hearing appealed for consideration of the pair’s personal struggles.
“I’ve been taking care of Dakota and Felicity for the past couple months now. I’ve seen their struggle,” the friend said, according to WCHS.
Eatmon waived her initial hearing before Magistrate Brent Hall and remained held on a $10,000 bond.
The pair reportedly had about 26,000 TikTok followers before their arrests. Authorities said they do not believe the fire was connected to their social media activity.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
