LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — A man is accused of attempted murder after setting a home on fire while a woman and a four-month-old baby were inside, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
It happened around 2 p.m. Thursday at a home on Sunset Circle in Lake Alfred. Deputies said 35-year-old Ronald Beasley, Jr. set the home on fire and ran away.
Deputies said they were called to the home due to a "family disturbance." When patrol deputies got there, they reportedly saw a large amount of smoke coming from the home. They said they made sure anyone inside the home got out of the home safely and also evacuated nearby neighbors.
The fire was determined too large for deputies to contain and Polk County Fire Rescue was called to battle the blaze. It was put out, but the home was heavily damaged.
Detectives soon arrived at the crime scene to investigate what led up to the fire. The woman reportedly told detectives that she and Beasley got into a fight over his drug addiction.
In an attempt to get away from Beasley during the fight, the woman reportedly locked herself and the 4-month-old baby in the bathroom. Beasley broke into the bathroom but went outside as soon as the woman threatened to call 911, the release said.
After Beasley left the home, the woman locked the front door to keep him from getting back into the home, detectives said. Not long after, she reportedly heard a "loud boom" coming from outside the home and a witness reportedly saw it catch fire and "hollered" for the woman to get out.
A neighbor reportedly told detectives they saw Beasley leave the backyard and say, "You need to go get the baby from inside the house because I just set it on fire."
The woman and baby were able to get out. However, a cat that was also inside the home wasn't able to escape the fire and was found dead after the flames were put out.
Detectives said Beasley was found just a few streets away from the home and was "immediately" taken into custody.
Beasley faces numerous charges, including attempted first-degree murder, animal cruelty, false imprisonment and tampering with a witness. The State Fire Marshal is also charging Beasley with first-degree arson.
According to the sheriff's office, Beasley has been convicted in the past of possession of methamphetamine, felony battery, throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle and domestic violence.
“This violent suspect’s actions put innocent lives in serious danger, and we are grateful that the victims made it out safely," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "Setting a fire in a home with a baby and family pet inside is not only reckless but shows a complete disregard for life. We are committed to pursuing justice for the victims and ensuring this suspect is held fully accountable for his actions.”
