I am surprized that no criminal charges can be made because of his age. Do we have to wait until he burns some one to death bfore we can take any action. I am glad his mother agreed to an evaluation, but if she did not what then !!!

Then his parents should be charged.

These types of laws are why we have problems in our society today. Put some fear into these kids and they would think twice about doing such acts. At his age he knows right from wrong and could understand what could have happened. Kids know they can't be touched (just like in schools) so they do what they want and dare you to try and hold them accountable. Perhaps at the very least having to spend several months of Saturday's washing fire trucks, sweeping floors or volunteering to read to people hospitalized from burns would help him make a better choice in the future. To just wash our hands and hope the mother follows through (once she gets the counseling session bill, it may be one visit and done) is not my idea of the law protecting the public.

I agree...accountability is CRUCIAL always and especially when raising children. Someone could have been seriously injured. There SHOULD have been a community service discipline to send a societal message of what is NOT acceptable as a human being in a civilized culture. I hope his parents do not drop the ball on the severity of his actions.

Family environment may or may not be an contributing issue, certainly worth a look.

Isn't that what juvenile charges are for.? How old does he have to be before he is charged as a juvenile? So what if he does this again does this go on some type of record so that the system can see a pattern if it becomes necessary ?