Deputies: Manteno man attempted to set fire to mobile home with mother of unborn child inside

MANTENO, Ill. — Charges have been filed against a Kankakee County man who authorities say allegedly attempted to set fire to a mobile home where the mother of his unborn child and her two-year-old son lived.

Hunter Lauridsen, a 23-year-old Manteno resident, has been charged with attempted residential arson and endangering the life or health of a child, officials from the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department announced Tuesday.

According to deputies, Lauridsen’s arrest came after an incident that allegedly unfolded at a rural Manteno mobile home park early Tuesday morning.

Deputies say they were first called to the scene just after 12:30 a.m. following a report of an arson in progress.

After arriving on the scene, deputies spoke with a witness who told them that they had spotted a suspicious vehicle parked near the entrance of the park.

The witness then told officers that they had also seen someone inside the vehicle turn off the lights while another person nearby unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish flames near one of the mobile homes. The vehicle then fled the scene.

After speaking with the witness, deputies identified Lauridsen as a suspect in the case and were able to take him into custody at his home.

“The reckless and malicious actions alleged in this case could have easily resulted in a tragic loss of innocent life,” Kankakee Sheriff Mike Downey said. “We are extremely grateful that no one was injured and that our deputies were able to take the suspect into custody swiftly. Acts of violence—especially those that place children and families in danger—will not be tolerated in Kankakee County, and we will continue to work diligently to hold offenders fully accountable.”

Lauridsen is currently in custody at Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee and it is unclear when he is set to return to court.