BUSKIRK, N.Y. -- A Washington County couple is accused of intentionally setting their mobile home on fire with their 3 year old son inside. Now Frank Ruggles, 43, and his fiancé Leann Coon, 33, are charged with arson, insurance fraud, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
State Police said the couple was after the insurance money. The mobile home was insured for $60,000 and the property inside was insured for $42,000.
The fire at the mobile home off Duell Hollow Road started around 6am back on September 1st.
Court papers show Coon admitted to investigators that the fire was intentionally set.
Investigators said Coon told them, "... they were told that if they put lighter fluid in an outlet, it would start on fire and no one could detect it and they would think it was just an electrical fire."
Coon said Ruggles was the one to start the fire in a back bedroom.
Investigators said Coon told them "They did it for the money... They wanted a new one with more room because of all the kids."
Coon said her three year old son was home at her side sleeping at the time.
According to court papers, "She was next to (her son) when Frank went into the back bedroom to start it.... She said that it started really quick and she picked up (her son) and went outside and then called 911."
Coon has four other kids that live with her but weren't home at the time.
Both have plead not guilty and are due back in court in November.
NEWS10 ABC
