By Nick Ferraro
The Pioneer Press
RANDOLPH, Minn. A 13-year-old boy is accused of starting two fires at the Randolph public schools building last week that caused $50,000 in damage and sent students home for the remainder of the day.
The Dakota County attorney’s office on Monday charged the boy with first-degree arson after authorities say he admitted to starting the Nov. 14 fires in two bathrooms at the school building, which serves students in kindergarten through grade 12.
The boy was arrested on probable cause arson the same day, Sheriff Dave Bellows said.
Damage to the building was mostly smoke-related, County Attorney Jim Backstrom said.
The boy remained in custody Monday at Dakota County’s juvenile detention center in Hastings, Backstrom said.
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