Full Breakdown
TikTok Couple Charged with Arson After Charleston Fire
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, were arrested and arraigned on September 29 on charges of first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson. Prosecutors allege the pair set fire to an abandoned house on the 400 block of Maryland Avenue in Charleston, West Virginia, at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. Surveillance footage obtained by investigators reportedly shows Eatmon handing Harper a lit piece of paper, which he then placed inside the structure. The two are seen partially entering the home while the blaze grew before fleeing the scene. The fire continued to smolder into the early morning of September 28, and nearby Canaan United Methodist Church sustained more than $10,000 in estimated damage.
Timeline
- September 27 (occurred) – Fire breaks out at the abandoned home on Maryland Avenue, reported around 11:15 p.m.
- September 28 (occurred) – Smoke lingers in the area into the early morning hours.
- September 29 (occurred) – Harper and Eatmon are arrested, charged, and arraigned; each is held on a $10,000 cash bond at the South-Central Regional Jail.
- October 5 (scheduled) – Preliminary hearing is set before Judge Leslie Grace.
Background & Context
Harper and Eatmon have cultivated a joint TikTok following of approximately 26.7 K users, posting videos that document their daily lives. The couple is known within Charleston’s homeless community, and they were previously cited in June for a misdemeanor involving property damage and conspiracy, according to West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation records. Their online presence and prior run-in with law enforcement have drawn local attention to the intersection of social-media fame and homelessness-related challenges.
Data & Statistics
- Followers: ~26.7 K on TikTok (reported by multiple outlets).
- Bond: $10,000 cash bond each, set by the magistrate court.
- Property Damage: Estimated >$10,000 to the adjacent Canaan United Methodist Church.
- Location: Abandoned home on the 400 block of Maryland Avenue, Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Official Statements & Responses
Hunt referenced the couple’s visibility within the local homeless community and their TikTok following as part of his broader call for city-wide action on vacant-property safety.
Why It Matters
The case underscores ongoing concerns in Charleston about vacant, unoccupied structures that can become fire hazards. City officials and community leaders have pointed to the incident as evidence of a broader public-safety issue tied to homelessness and the proliferation of abandoned properties. The involvement of social-media influencers adds a layer of scrutiny regarding how online fame may intersect with risky or illegal behavior, prompting discussions about platform responsibility and local law-enforcement monitoring.
What’s Next
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 5 before Judge Leslie Grace. The hearing will address the defendants’ bail status, potential plea negotiations, and any additional pre-trial matters. No public statements have been released regarding whether Harper or Eatmon have entered pleas or retained counsel.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the alleged arson, and the court documents do not indicate whether the defendants have entered pleas. Additionally, while multiple outlets confirm the $10,000 bond amount and damage estimate, no official comment has been obtained from the Charleston Police Department or the South-Central Regional Jail regarding the couple’s custody conditions.