LEON VALLEY, Texas – A Leon Valley man is trying to pick up the pieces after losing his home in a devastating fire last weekend.
That fire was set by his son, Eric Fox Hernandez.
Currently, Eric Fox, 25, is behind bars and facing two charges of arson for the incident.
His father, Mark Hernandez, said it all began last Saturday. He said he was coming back from the store when he noticed his home was up in flames.
Although Mark said he is devastated by the loss of his home, he’s more concerned about Eric being behind bars. His son has autism and suffers from seizures.
“My son didn’t talk until he was four and he didn’t talk until he saw ‘Toy Story,’ for whatever reason. It just woke him up and he started talking and interacting with us and it was great,” Mark said.
It was that very same film that Eric developed his fascination for matches. Mark said this wasn’t his first attempt at burning the home down.
“I’m doing everything I can. It’s just been me and him for the last nine years and I’ve done everything I can to keep him safe,” Mark said.
Mark is urging officials to release Eric from jail and says he doesn’t belong there.
“He doesn’t need to be there. He has absolutely no idea why he’s there,” Mark said.
Eric is also accused of setting a neighbor’s vehicle on fire. According to an arrest affidavit, police said they found Eric holding a box of matches on the day of the fire.
Eric remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.
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Man facing charges in arson fires that destroyed his home, neighbor’s SUV