SEBRING, Fla. – A man and his girlfriend were arrested in Sebring, Florida, for allegedly putting a 9-year-old boy into a fire and covering him with a burning blanket, as reported by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. Richard Myron Ham, 39 allegedly also burned the boy’s possessions, with the belief that the child was possessed by a demon. Fortunately, the child managed to escape serious injury and is now in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The incident occurred after authorities received a report of suspects burning debris, including live ammunition, by the side of the road. Deputies arrived at the scene to find Ham armed with two metal rods, which he refused to drop despite orders. After a taser failed to subdue him, Ham attacked a deputy, resulting in another deputy firing their weapon in self-defense, leading to Ham’s death.
Lakenya Lavonn Phillips, 30, the mother of the child, was also involved in the ordeal and allegedly pushed deputies as they tried to help Ham. She was subsequently arrested at the scene. One deputy was injured in the altercation but has since been treated and released from the hospital.
Authorities later discovered that Phillips and her son were reported as missing and endangered in Wichita, Kansas on December 6. The reason for their presence in Highlands County, Florida, is still unknown. Additionally, multiple firearms and drugs were found in the vehicle driven by Ham and Phillips at the time of their arrest.
Further details emerged when deputies interviewed the child. He disclosed that he had not bathed or brushed his teeth in at least ten days during their journey to Florida. The boy also claimed that Ham frequently threatened him with a large knife, alleging that Ham had used it to take someone’s life. Law enforcement agencies from multiple states are working together to investigate the veracity of these claims.
The two deputies involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
This alarming case emphasizes the risks faced by vulnerable children and highlights the crucial role played by organizations such as the Florida Department of Children and Families. Ongoing investigations into the background of Ham and Phillips aim to shed light on the circumstances leading up to this horrific incident.