A man has been charged with arson after police said he set the Hialeah home of his 10-year-old daughter and her mother on fire.
Joel Martos, 48, appeared in Miami-Dade County bond court Monday afternoon, facing charges of first-degree arson, burglary and aggravated stalking. A sign language interpreter signed for Martos because he is deaf.
Police said Martos was seen on a neighbor's surveillance video riding a bicycle Saturday night toward the home on West 29th Lane in Hialeah where his 10-year-old daughter and her mother, Martos' ex-girlfriend, live. Several minutes later, police said, Martos cycled away as the house burned.
Police said Martos poured accelerant in three bedrooms, doused his daughter's mattress and lit it all on fire.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.
The girl's mother had hoped a prior restraining order against Martos. They left bond court without a word.
Martos is being held on $20,000 bond.
