TikTok couple charged with arson over abandoned home fire in Charleston, West Virginia
Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, who run a joint TikTok account, were arrested and charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy after a fire at an abandoned Charleston home that also damaged a nearby church.
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The story, neutrally told
Felicity Eatmon, 22, and Dakota Harper, 21, who run a joint TikTok account, were arrested in Charleston, West Virginia, and charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson. New York PostR “They are charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson.” Read at New York Post ↗ Hindustan TimesN “They have been charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The charges relate to a fire at an abandoned home in the 400 block of Maryland Avenue, which Hindustan Times says started around 11:15pm on a Sunday and smouldered into the next morning. Hindustan TimesN “The fire had started around 11:15pm Sunday and continued to smolder until through the next morning.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The fire caused about $10,000 in damage to the nearby Canaan United Methodist Church, according to the reports. New York PostR “caused $10,000 in damages to a nearby church” Read at New York Post ↗ Hindustan TimesN “Nearby Canaan United Methodist Church also sustained over $10,000 in damages.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Citing WCHS, both outlets say surveillance footage allegedly shows Eatmon handing Harper a piece of paper, which was lit and placed inside the home. New York PostR “Investigators obtained surveillance footage that allegedly showed Eatmon handing Harper what appears to be a piece of paper, which was then lit and placed inside the home” Read at New York Post ↗ Hindustan TimesN “Eatmon allegedly gave Harper a piece of paper and the two then allegedly held a ‘handheld ignition source’ setting the paper ablaze.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Both are held on $10,000 bonds; Hindustan Times says the cash bond is at South Central Regional Jail. Hindustan TimesN “The couple are each being held on a $10,000 cash bond at the South Central Regional Jail” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ New York PostR “They are both being held on a $10,000 bond.” Read at New York Post ↗ The New York Post says both were arraigned Tuesday in Kanawha County, and describes Harper's small stature from jail records. New York PostR “appeared in a Kanawha County courtroom for his arraignment” Read at New York Post ↗
Their social media following is put at 26.7K (Hindustan Times) or over 28,000 (New York Post); the NY Post says Eatmon calls Harper a fiancé in videos. Hindustan TimesN “Harper and Eatmon have a TikTok account with about 26.7K followers.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ New York PostR “Harper and Eatmon have amassed over 28,000 social media followers” Read at New York Post ↗ Hindustan Times adds that a true crime reporter said the pair faced misdemeanor charges on June 14, and that a social media user said no motive has been disclosed; these points are unverified in the article. Hindustan TimesN “In June 14, the TikTok duo reportedly faced misdemeanor charges.”“Another noted that the couple has not disclosed a motive for starting the fire.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Explainer-style 'who are they' piece that leans on social media posts and reactions alongside WCHS reporting.
- Emphasis
- Couple's background, past misdemeanor charges, social media reaction, and the lack of a stated motive.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Harper's height or weight, or the couple's engagement.
- Charged language
- “almost Shakespearean in scope”“their latest news will shock you”
- For example
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“Who are Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon? TikTok couple arrested for Charleston arson - latest update” — Hindustan Times
“A true crime reporter noted that Harper and Eatmon had been arrested in past as well.” — Hindustan Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Crime brief built on police and court details, with emphasis on Harper's small stature and the couple's viral online persona.
- Emphasis
- Harper's height and weight, the arraignment video, the engagement, and popular videos.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the fire's timing and address, the jail name, and the earlier June charges reported by Hindustan Times.
- Charged language
- “alleged firebug”“tattooed pair”
- For example
-
“Harper, who stands just 3-feet, 9-inches tall and weighs just 43 pounds, according to jail records” — New York Post
“Some of the tattooed pair’s most popular videos show the couple kissing at the fair and hanging out by the pool” — New York Post
What every side reports
- Harper (21) and Eatmon (22) were charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit arson in Charleston, West Virginia.
- The fire destroyed an abandoned home and caused about $10,000 damage to a nearby church.
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows Eatmon handing Harper a piece of paper that was lit and placed in the home.
- Both are held on $10,000 bonds.
Where accounts differ
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Size of the couple's social following
- Centre
- About 26.7K followers.
- Right
- Over 28,000 followers, with videos getting millions of views.
Dakota Harper person
Charged and held on bond; coverage reports no statement from Harper, and a motive has not been disclosed.
“the couple has not disclosed a motive for starting the fire” — Hindustan Times
Felicity Eatmon person
Charged alongside Harper; allegedly seen on footage handing over the paper that was lit. No statement is reported.
“Investigators obtained surveillance footage that allegedly showed Eatmon handing Harper what appears to be a piece of paper” — New York Post
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Mixed Explainer mixing court and WCHS details with social media commentary and past-arrest background.
Right1 article
-
TikTok couple charged with arson after allegedly setting abandoned home on fire
Mixed Straight crime report that highlights Harper's physical size and the couple's viral profile.
- 30 Sep 07:12 First Hindustan TimesN Who are Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon? TikTok couple arrested for Charleston arson - latest update
- 30 Sep 20:18 +13h 6m New York PostR TikTok couple charged with arson after allegedly setting abandoned home on fire
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.