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Juveniles to Face Criminal Charges for Dormont Elementary Fire

Two juveniles confessed this week to starting the playground fire at Dormont Elementary School.

 

Two juveniles who confessed setting fire to the Dormont Elementary School playground will face criminal charges for their actions, according to Detective Jason Costanzo of the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office.

Costanzo confirmed Wednesday that this is an arson case, and that those responsible will face arson-related charges.

"There’s really not a whole lot more to it," Costanzo said. "This appears to be a one-time incident, with some kids who went up there and set the fire, and left the scene."

Keystone Oaks School District released a statement Tuesday, Dec. 11 that two minors had confessed to setting the blaze. Their names and ages are not being released.

Costanzo said one of the minors is a student in the Keystone Oaks School District. The other is a Mt. Lebanon resident.

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Related Topics: Arson, Dormont Elementary School, Dormont Elementary fire, Jason Costanzo, and criminal charges

Ed M

2:49 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Excellent. I'm very happy to hear this isn't being treated lightly.

T&B T

4:14 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Absolutely. It needs to be treated seriously. If these were my kids they would also get the sh*t beat out of them. But then I raised my kids RIGHT with love & strict discipline when heeded and they'd NEVER do anything like this. Raising a kid correctly nowadays is something that would horrify the typical nitwit that has bought the current idiot-think on child rearing.

Robert

4:18 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Like a war zone down there anymore'

Jason D Flaherty

7:21 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Since when don't we publish names of kids who set fires? Oh cause one is from the Gated and private community of Mt Lebanon . Lol

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Erin Faulk

7:52 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012

Hi Jason,

The police do not typically release the names of people under the age of 18, and most publications do not publish the names of people under the age of 18 for crime-related matters. Thanks!

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Ed M

6:59 am on Friday, December 14, 2012

They are minors Jason. They never publish minor's names regardless of where they are from. Mt. Lebanon is not a gated or private community, either.

Down where Robert?

Mary Ellen MacPherson

2:15 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012

Interestingly, I know of at least one fire set at a Mt. Lebanon School many years ago. The arsonist turned out to be a student at the school. His parents defended every one of his misdeeds by using his learning disablily as an excuse, even suing the district when they expelled him. A perfect example of how not to raise your child.
It is appropriate that these 2 arsonists will be learning that there are consequences for their actions.

Jason D Flaherty

2:56 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012

I can say this. I was a kid who did good and did very bad and I got locked up as a juvenile and as an adult. I know for a fact it was because of the foster homes and my real family up bringing. I know the Dormont police climbed through hoops to lock me up to have me just let loose to terrorize the public... I don't know if this is just a one time thing but it has to be treated like its not. The best thing for these kids is volunteering at a burn unit for a very long time and may be at a homeless shelter where fire victims have to reside. I started volunteering in 2006 and it changed my whole life and these kids just might need it. But I'm guessing their parents will think they are better than that!

Ashton

6:17 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013

Seriously jason there from the gated grounds of mt.lebanon open your eyes. the kid doesnt even stay in mt.lebanon.

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Ed M

7:07 am on Monday, March 11, 2013

Mt. Lebanon is not gated.

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