PORT ANGELES — A Sequim man charged with attempted arson and reckless endangerment after he allegedly tried to burn down his mother’s house is slated to be arraigned in Clallam County Superior Court at 9 a.m. today.
Kevin Thomas Root, 44, was charged Wednesday with one count each of attempted first-degree arson and reckless endangerment after he was arrested Oct. 11 at the SunLand home of his mother, Marjorie Root.
Kevin Root allegedly sprinkled gasoline in his mother’s living room at 247 Taylor Blvd. and lit paper on fire, leaving it on the living room table, on Oct. 11, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Office accounts.
Marjorie Root also told deputies her son had thrown knives at her bedroom door while she was inside talking on the phone.
The 44-year-old remained in the Clallam County jail Thursday in lieu of $10,000 bond.
Kevin Root had been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation with Peninsula Behavioral Health in Port Angeles, according to court documents, and cannot come in contact with his mother.
Deputy’s account
Deputy Todd Yarnes said in his arrest report filed in court that when he found Kevin Root in his bedroom off the living room and asked what was going on, Root replied, “I’m going to burn the house down.”
Kevin Root would not elaborate, Yarnes said, other than telling Yarnes his mother was ruining his life.
Marjorie Root told Yarnes she was in her bedroom when she heard banging on the closed door, and when she opened it, she found her son standing outside the room throwing kitchen knives at it.
Yarnes said he found a large knife sticking in the door and another knife on the floor.
Marjorie Root told Yarnes she did not know what had upset her son but said he had threatened to burn her house down earlier in the week, according to the report.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
