
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 7, 1995                   TAG: 9501090048
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOPEWELL                                LENGTH: Short

PROBATION FOR BROTHERS IN BURNING

A judge on Friday placed two brothers, 11 and 10, on probation for setting a 3-year-old boy on fire and ordered them to attend a program on the dangers of fire.

Hopewell Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Sam Campbell sentenced the 11-year-old to a suspended commitment to the Department of Youth and Family Services. The boy will be allowed to live with his mother under supervision by a probation officer.

The judge also released the 10-year-old to his mother under supervision of a probation officer.

Campbell on Oct.14 found the boys ``not innocent'' of a malicious wounding charge. A finding of ``not innocent'' in juvenile court is equivalent to a guilty verdict for an adult.

Tony Dilhoff was playing in an alley behind his great-aunt's house Sept.19 when the boys poured gasoline on and around him and set him on fire. Tony was severely burned.

The 11-year-old boy faced a maximum sentence of incarceration by the Department of Youth and Family Services, which could have held him until age 21. The 10-year-old was 9 at the time the burning occurred; juveniles who commit crimes while younger than age 10 cannot be committed.

by CNB