Monrovia, May 13 -- Police in Gbah Jarkeh Township have arrested a Sierra Leonean national, Amara Varney, for allegedly setting fire to the hands of his 13-year-old son, Morris Varney, as punishment for allegedly stealing L$14,000.

By Patience M. Jones, contributing writer

The disturbing incident occurred on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in the Zion Six community. Eyewitnesses told authorities that Mr. Varney tied up his son, poured a flammable substance-believed to be gasoline-on his hands, and set them ablaze. The child's screams drew neighbors to the scene, who intervened, extinguished the fire, and rushed him to a nearby clinic.

Medical staff say the boy sustained serious burns but is currently in stable condition and undergoing treatme...