Man accused of pouring gasoline on boy charged with assault

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Authorities say a Pennsylvania man is facing aggravated assault and other charges after being accused of dousing a 4-year-old boy with gasoline and talking about setting him on fire.

Authorities say officers were sent to a Southmont borough home shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday and found the child and 27-year-old Josiah James McIntosh smelling of gasoline and the defendant in possession of a disposable lighter.

Officer Christopher Kesslak alleged in a criminal complaint that the defendant “splashed gasoline on the little boy and made a reference to setting him on fire.” Police said another man reported the defendant saying “If we can’t get out the demon, I’ll burn it out of him.”

The other man said he tried to get McIntosh out of the house but the defendant punched him and hit him in the head with a brick.

McIntosh is also charged with aggravated assault of a person less than 6 years old, simple assault, reckless endangerment, making terroristic threats, arson and child endangerment. A message was left Saturday for an attorney representing him.

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Associated Press