Man arrested after lighting a child’s hand on fire

LONDON, Ky. (WTVQ) – London Police arrested a man on January 15^th, after he lit a 7-year-old’s hand on fire.

Detective Stacy Anderkin reported that James E. Stark had intentionally poured lighter fluid on the child’s hand on January 14^th, before taking a lighter and deliberately setting it alight.

The 27-year-old man then failed to get the child any medical attention, resulting in severe burns to the back of the hand. Anderkin reported that, before the child attended school, some of the skin was removed and a Band-Aid was applied over the top of the burnt area.

“The offender wantonly engaged in conduct which created a substantial risk of danger that may have resulted in death or serious physical injury to the child,” Anderkin said.

Stark told police that his actions were part of a game they were playing.

Stark was arrested and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree assault. Additional charges pending.