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California have yet press charges in one of the recent wild fires ---a blaze started accidentally by a ten-year old boy playing with matches .The boy admits starting the buckweed fire that scotched 38,000 arces and destoryed 21 homes . But did he know what he was doing ?Should he be prosecuted ?Here is our senior law justice correspondent Jim Mravel .
The trailer where the ten-year-old confessed fire starter lived still stands untouch by the hugh devestation he caused .
I don't know to do to punish him ,just a child ,but I think he knew better .It's not unusual for kids to be behind the flames ,in fact ,nationwide last year ,nearly half of all accused arsonists were juveniles ,most of those under the age of 15 .And often is difficult to prosecute children because by law young kids are presumed to be incapable of intentionally committing a crime .
A child who is under the age of 14 can not be prosecuted unless we can show that they know right from wrong .
But even if found responsible ,very few undeage arsonists ever go to jail or juvenile hall ,instead ,they go to fire rehab school .We are not trying to take these kids and lock them away and make it so they can never see their family .
Don't do that !
Don't do that !
This six-year-old will not showing is face .Burn down his parents' house playing with a lighter ,today he is Sandiego Burn Institute learning why his childhood mistake can carry serious consequences .
Something we don't play with .
A lighter .
His father was injured in the blazes .
So I think he knew how dangerous it was that it could get out of control .Parents are given instruction ,too. Because they can be hold financially responsible for damages from the fire .
Just knowing what just child is doing ,while on the way to scholl ,think that they may carry in their pockets ,their backpacks .
Because even though juvenile fire starters are often too young to prosecute ,the damage they cause is real .Jim Mravel ,ABC News ,New York .