Dad set house on fire knowing his sons were inside: Police
Share this @internewscast.com

Background: News footage showing the remains of Dustin Fields’ burned home (WTVQ). Inset: Dustin Fields appears in court via video (Franklin County Detention Center).

A Kentucky man pleaded not guilty to an arson charge after he was accused of burning his own house down while his teenage sons were inside.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press conference, as reported by CBS affiliate WKYT, that Dustin Fields, 43, was taken into custody on Thursday, a day after a fire devastated his Frankfort, Kentucky home and claimed the lives of his 13 and 15-year-old sons. During the conference, it was reported that the investigation prompted authorities to charge Fields with first-degree arson. Additional details emerged, as obtained by ABC affiliate WTVQ through an arrest citation, indicating that accelerants were discovered by a K-9 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on Fields’ shoes and in the residence.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

The arrest citation, as obtained by NBC affiliate WLEX, alleges that Fields “used accelerants to ignite his residence, fully aware that his two minor sons were inside.” Moreover, these accelerants were reportedly detected at the locations where the boys’ bodies were found.

The two boys underwent autopsies, as well as a family dog, which was also found dead after the fire. The sheriff’s office stated during the press conference that the ongoing investigation could yield additional charges.

In a GoFundMe campaign started by a friend of Fields’ wife, who was the stepmother of the two boys and who shares a 3-year-old son with Fields, an apparent history of domestic violence between the couple began in late 2024. The friend stated that Fields’ wife reportedly filed for an emergency protection order with the sheriff’s office against her husband for herself, their youngest son, and the two teenagers in March. Due to weather and other issues, their court dates kept getting delayed. The couple had a court date scheduled for May 7.

On April 30, Fields’ home was burned to the ground with his two boys inside.

During his virtual court appearance on Monday, Fields pleaded not guilty to arson in the first degree and bail was set at $2 million. The suspect asked the judge, “Is there any chance of me furloughing out for the kids’ funeral?” He added, “I miss my boys.”

The prosecution objected, but the judge said Fields could ask his lawyer to file a motion with the Commonwealth. Fields is due in court again on May 13.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Gainesville Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Double Homicide and Attempted Murder Convictions

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A jury has found Dallvion Jarrell Parker, 31, guilty…

Gun Traffickers Mistakenly Involved in Home Invasion Convicted

Background: Bernadette Gaudio and her son Andrew Gaudio (GoFundMe). Insets, left to…

Mother Cleared of Munchausen Accusations: Legal Team

Jessica Gasser (provided). A Texas woman, previously accused of subjecting her 3-year-old…

Authorities Discover Body of Missing Man in River; Girlfriend Taken into Custody

Inset: Dy’mond Vaden (Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office). Background: The section of the…

Man Accused of Killing Wife and Another Man Over Suspected Infidelity, Says Police

Background: The 200 block of Meeks Road in Henry County, Virginia (Google…

Doctor Rearrested After Discovery of Additional Incriminating Photos Reignites Filming Allegations

Detectives have allegedly uncovered thousands of new graphic images on a hard…

Two Separate Shootings Shake Sydney Overnight, Police Report

Sydney has been rocked by two separate public shootings overnight, with NSW…

Teen Misled Police Following Pond Incident Resulting in Woman’s Death: Authorities

Inset left: Sunshine Stewart (Stewart family). Inset right: Deven Young (Facebook/Law&Crime/YouTube) Background:…

Virginia Father Barricades Home to Evade Arrest on Child Abuse Charges

Authorities in Virginia apprehended a couple on Thursday, charging them with the…

Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Attempt to Close Job Corps

President Donald Trump during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,…

Testimony Against Ex-Dentist Accused of Poisoning Wife: New Witness Reveals Shocking Details in James Craig Murder Trial

Testimony continued Thursday in the prominent murder trial of ex-Colorado dentist James…

Family Files Lawsuit Against Funeral Homes After Receiving Son’s Brain in a Box

Background: Abbey Butler (left) and Lawrence Butler (center) hold a press conference…