The Seneca County Sheriff says two children are safe after an incident Tuesday at a truck stop that left one child soaked in a flammable liquid, and one with head injuries.
Sheriff Tim Luce says they were called at 5:30 Tuesday morning to the Love's Truck Stop in Tyre for a report of fires in the building. They found two men setting the fires, and with them, a year-old child who had been doused in a flammable liquid. Investigators believe the two men tried, but failed, to set the child on fire. A four-year-old child was found injured in a tractor-trailer cab and taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with suspected head injuries. Both children have been treated and are expected to make full recoveries.
What later proved to be a fake bomb was found in the truck stop restroom, causing deputies to call in a bomb squad.
Authorities charged 28-year-old Jamie Avery Jr of West Palm Beach, Florida with attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, arson, attempted arson and endangering the welfare of a child. He's being held on 100-thousand-dollars bail. Authorities say he may have a parental relationship to the children, but they're still trying to clarify that. They also say he may have ties to the Syracuse area. and The second suspect may also be facing charges in the future. Authorities did not release any information about him.
The circumstances leading up to this incident aren't clear yet, but authorities have contacted family members in Florida and are talking with them.