Teen Charged With Setting Child Afire
A teen-ager was charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon Wednesday in connection with the burning of a 6-year-old playmate in Cudahy earlier this week.
The incident occurred as five boys were playing in a lot behind the Atlantis Motel. Police said motel residents reported that the 14-year-old suspect and 6-year-old Phil Kowal Jr. were fighting, and that the older boy dumped gasoline over Kowal and set him on fire.
One of the playmates, Raul Silav, 10, said the incident, which left Kowal with first- and second-degree burns on his face, neck and left arm, happened while the boys were running in and out of puddles of ignited gas.
Kowal was in serious but stable condition at County-USC Medical Center, hospital officials said. The 14-year-old suspect, being held in the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, was scheduled to be arraigned today in Juvenile Court.
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