Mother Tries To Set 4-Year-Old Son On Fire Before Older Child Intervened; Arrested

A mother was facing charges after allegedly trying to set her 4-year-old son on fire in her North Carolina residence. She was stopped by her older child, who managed to take away the lighter from her just in time.

Deputies from Nash County Sheriff's Office arrived at the Mike Lane residence in Nashville around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of an active disturbance between family members, according to WITN.

Upon reaching the scene, officials found out Latisha McDonald, 33, had poured lighter fluid all over her 4-year-old son's bed.

McDonald was allegedly trying to light her son and his bed on fire before her older juvenile, who was also inside the house, stepped in and stopped his mother from the wrongdoing.

"Upon learning the intentions of the mother, the older sibling intervened and was able to remove the lighter which prevented a heinous incident. Moments later, Nash County Sheriff's Office members arrived and immediately took McDonald into custody," the sheriff's office wrote in a statement posted on Facebook.

Investigators learned that the mother was going through a "severe mental health crisis that warranted immediate medical & mental intervention."

Four other children were also present inside the house when the incident unfolded, officials revealed. All the children were placed in the custody of the Nash County Department of Social Services, while McDonald was involuntarily admitted to a hospital, according to ABC11 WTVD.

"McDonald was taken into custody under an emergency Involuntary Commitment Order, while the children were placed into the custody of Nash County Department of Social Services," the sheriff's office continued.

"It's very disturbing to me to know that a mother would have the mindset to want to do something as atrocious as this," Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone told WRAL News.

The identities of the victim and his elder sibling were not revealed by the authorities.

McDonald was charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted arson, and felony child abuse. Officials launched an investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, McDonald was awaiting medical/mental treatment at the hospital, as per the latest update from the sheriff's office. The warrants for the charges will be served upon her release from the hospital.