TikTok Couple Charged With Arson Go Viral as Old Videos Resurface After 3ft 9in Dakota Harper Appears in Court

Two West Virginia TikTok personalities have been charged with first-degree arson and conspiracy after an abandoned house in Charleston caught fire, with old videos from their joint account resurfacing online following their court appearances.

Dakota Harper, 21, and Felicity Eatmon, 22, both Charleston residents, were arrested on 29 September and arraigned in Kanawha County after the fire was reported at about 11:15pm on 27 September. The blaze destroyed the vacant property on Maryland Avenue and caused more than $10,000 (about £7,500) in estimated damage to the adjacent Canaan United Methodist Church, according to a criminal complaint cited by local broadcaster WCHS.

The case attracted renewed attention online after footage of Harper's arraignment circulated on social media. His jail booking record listed him as 3ft 9in tall and weighing 43lb, while older videos showing the couple's relationship and daily lives were also shared again.

Couple Allegedly Set Fire To Abandoned House

According to the criminal complaint, surveillance footage showed Harper and Eatmon near the side door of the property shortly before the fire began. The complaint alleges that Eatmon handed Harper a piece of paper, which was then ignited using a handheld ignition source before being placed inside the house. Investigators allege the pair partially entered the building as the fire developed before leaving the area.

The property at 405 Maryland Avenue was abandoned and had no active utility service, according to the complaint. The fire continued to smoulder into the following morning before the building was destroyed.

The blaze caused more than $10,000 in estimated heat and smoke damage to the nearby Canaan United Methodist Church. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged arson.

The allegations have not been tested in court. Harper and Eatmon are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Old TikTok Videos Resurface After Court Appearance

Harper and Eatmon operate a joint TikTok account that had about 26,700 followers around the time of their arrests. Their videos have documented their relationship and aspects of their everyday lives.

After footage from Harper's court appearance began circulating, older clips from the account were shared again across social media. The renewed attention has also led users to speculate about the couple's relationship and a possible motive for the alleged fire.

There is no established evidence that the alleged arson was connected to their TikTok activity or intended to generate publicity. Police have not publicly identified a motive for the alleged fire.

Harper's height and weight have also become part of the online discussion because of the details listed in his jail booking record. Those details are separate from the criminal allegations against him and Eatmon.

Harper's Bond Increased as Eatmon Waives Hearing

Harper and Eatmon were initially held at South Central Regional Jail on $10,000 bonds. On 5 October, a Kanawha County magistrate increased Harper's bond to $20,000 (about £15,000), with home confinement required if he is released.

Eatmon's bond remained at $10,000. She waived her preliminary hearing on 6 October, while both defendants remained in custody.

West Virginia law provides a prison sentence of two to 20 years for a conviction for first-degree arson. The offence applies to a dwelling or outbuilding whether it is occupied, unoccupied or vacant. A conviction for conspiracy to commit first-degree arson can carry a separate sentence of five to 25 years.

The case remains at the preliminary stage. The charges are allegations, and neither Harper nor Eatmon has been convicted.