Key Highlights
- Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon face conspiracy to commit arson and first-degree arson charges in connection with a September 27, 2026 fire in Charleston, West Virginia.
- Investigators say CCTV footage shows the pair using paper and a handheld ignition source before a fire started at an abandoned house.
- The blaze caused more than $10,000 in damage to the neighboring Canaan United Methodist Church; Harper and Eatmon are each being held on $10,000 bond.
Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon Arrested in Charleston Arson Case
Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, of Kanawha County, West Virginia, have been arrested on felony arson charges following a fire at an abandoned house in Charleston. The pair were taken into custody on Tuesday, September 29, two days after the fire was reported.
Harper, who has dwarfism, and Eatmon are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and first-degree arson. The couple are known on TikTok for documenting their relationship, unconventional day-to-day lives and periods of homelessness. Together, they have approximately 26,700 followers on the platform.
Fire Damaged Neighboring Church
The fire began at about 11:15 p.m. on September 27, 2026, at a vacant, utility-free abandoned house in the 400 block of Maryland Avenue on Charleston’s West Side. The blaze continued smoldering into the morning and caused more than $10,000 in damage to the neighboring Canaan United Methodist Church.
According to the fire marshal’s office, investigators reviewing CCTV footage observed Harper and Eatmon together in an alley next to 405 Maryland Avenue shortly before the fire. The criminal complaint states that the footage shows Eatmon giving Harper ‘what appears to be a piece of paper’.
The pair are then ‘observed using a handheld ignition source’ to ‘produce an open flame and ignite the paper’. About 30 seconds later, Harper and Eatmon approached the side-door area of the property, where Eatmon entered the structure.
CCTV Footage Cited in Investigation
The complaint says Eatmon was seen ‘reaching into the interior of the residence for an unknown reason’. The fire marshal’s office said Eatmon remained near the doorway for two to three minutes, while Harper was also visible on surveillance footage.
Surveillance footage later showed ‘light and/or flames reflecting from within the doorway’. Eatmon then left the doorway and traveled through an alleyway. Separate footage showed Eatmon alongside the area following the fire.
Harper and Eatmon are each being held on $10,000 bond at the South Central Regional Jail. The charges are allegations, and the reported CCTV observations form part of the fire marshal’s office investigation.
Why This Matters
The case links a fire at a vacant Charleston property to alleged actions captured on surveillance footage and highlights the reported impact beyond the abandoned house itself. The blaze caused more than $10,000 in damage to Canaan United Methodist Church, which stood next to the property. The investigation and court proceedings will determine how the allegations against Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon are addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Dakota Harper and Felicity Eatmon?
Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, are from Kanawha County, West Virginia. They are known for posting about their relationship and daily lives on TikTok, where they have around 26,700 followers combined.
What charges do Harper and Eatmon face?
They have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson and first-degree arson in connection with the September 27, 2026 fire in Charleston.
What evidence has been cited by investigators?
The fire marshal’s office cited CCTV footage that allegedly shows Harper and Eatmon near the property before the fire, including the use of paper and a handheld ignition source. The footage also reportedly shows Eatmon entering the structure and flames or light reflecting from the doorway.