ARLINGTON, VA (WJLA/CNN) – Police say a father intentionally started a fire at a Virginia apartment building then pushed his baby’s stroller, child inside, toward the flames.
Demetrius Antonio Taylor, 27, was arrested for arson after an Arlington, VA, apartment fire that sent one person to the hospital and forced 25 families out of their homes.
According to police, Taylor and his girlfriend got into a fight Saturday around 11:30 a.m. They say he physically attacked the woman and lit a floor mat on fire.
Taylor then allegedly pushed the stroller the couple’s newborn was in toward the fire and made a run for it.
"He was in love with the little girl, so I can't imagine him doing something like that,” said Monique Hayes, who knows Taylor personally. "I was shocked, to say the least. It's crazy."
Police say Taylor's girlfriend revived the baby and got out of the building before the fire got worse. Both were checked by medics at the scene.
When police arrested Taylor Saturday around 4:30 p.m., he allegedly kicked through an interview room wall and threatened and spat on police officers.
Taylor faces several felony charges, including child endangerment and arson. He is in jail on no bond.
A restoration crew is working to fix the damaged top two floors of the apartment building.
Copyright 2017 WJLA, Arlington County Police via CNN. All rights reserved.
