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Florida Baby Sitter Accused of Teaching Boy to Set Off Bombs

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a Florida man faces multiple charges after he was apparently showing a 10-year-old boy he was babysitting how to set off acid bombs.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter says in a news release that a deputy working an off-duty detail in a subdivision heard a loud explosion Monday. He went to a nearby park and saw 30-year-old Joshua Stephen Lapin-Bertone setting off acid bombs.

An arrest report says Lapin-Bertone "had the juvenile" throwing the bombs. Investigators found additional chemicals used to make acid bombs in the babysitter's car.

Carter says the child's mother took custody of her son.

Lapin-Bertone was released on bond. He's charged with four counts of making/placing/discharging a destructive device and four counts of child neglect.

Jail records show he doesn't have a lawyer.

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