Kankakee, IL – A Manteno man has been taken into custody after allegedly attempting to set fire to a home occupied by the mother of his unborn child and her 2-year-old son early Monday morning.
According to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 12:39 a.m. to a mobile home park in rural Manteno after receiving reports of an in-progress arson. A witness told deputies they saw a suspicious vehicle parked near the park’s entrance, with its occupants turning off the lights. Another individual was allegedly seen trying unsuccessfully to extinguish flames near the home before fleeing in a pickup truck.
Deputies later located 23-year-old Hunter S. Lauridsen at his Manteno residence, where he was taken into custody without further incident. He was booked into the Jerome Combs Detention Center on charges of Attempted Residential Arson and Endangering the Life or Health of a Child.
Sheriff Mike Downey said the actions described in the case could have led to a tragic loss of life. “We are extremely grateful that no one was injured and that our deputies were able to take the suspect into custody swiftly,” Downey stated. He added that violent acts, particularly those endangering children and families, will not be tolerated in Kankakee County.
Authorities confirmed that Lauridsen remains jailed pending court proceedings. No further injuries or damage beyond the initial fire were reported. The investigation remains ongoing.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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