Man accused of setting 7-year-old boy on fire expected in court

SAXONBURG, Pa. — A Saxonburg man facing charges for allegedly dousing his ex-girlfriend’s 7-year-old son with flammable liquid and then letting his own son set the child on fire is due in court Tuesday.

According to the criminal complaint, Edward Myers, 35, along with his 15- and 11-year-old sons, repeatedly shot Daniel Podskalny with pellet guns at a Saxonburg home.

Podskalny told police that Myers had also thrown something from the stove that “felt like sand” into his eyes, causing them to burn, the complaint said.

The criminal complaint stated that Myers then doused the boy with a flammable liquid and one of his sons allegedly set the boy’s shirt on fire.

Myers said he had been cleaning a sink when he spilled nail polish onto Podskalny, who then came in contact with a lit cigarette, the complaint said.

Podskalny told police that Myers used a cellphone to record the assault.

The 7-year-old was taken to an area hospital by his mother, who was not at the home at the time of the alleged assault, for third-degree burns to his chest, neck and face, as well as injuries to his forehead from the pellet guns. He spent a month in the hospital.

Myers is facing charges that include aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of marijuana.

Myers is being held in the Butler County Jail. His 15-year-old son is also facing charges in juvenile court.

Podskalny’s family released the following statement: “On behalf of the Halliwell Family, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Daniel and his ongoing recovery. We ask continued prayer for the families and children involved in this horrific event.”

A fund has been set up to assist Podskalny’s family with medical costs. Donations can be made to the Daniel Fund at Citizens Bank, 8050 Peebles Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237.

WPXI