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Adopted son charged with arson, murder in father's death in Indiana

Posted at 3:56 PM, Nov 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-08 12:05:08-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- The 16-year-old adopted son of a man killed in a house fire last week has been charged as an adult with murder, arson and auto theft, court records show.

Jordan Marin-Doan, 16, was arrested on Saturday in connection to the fire that killed his adopted father, 45-year-old Jason Doan, last Thursday.

Doan’s husband, Alan Marin, and their two other adopted children were able to escape the home safely.

Marin told police he and his husband woke up to find a fire blocking their exit. Doan helped Marin and two of their children escape through an upstairs window, before succumbing to the flames and smoke inhalation.

"He saved me and my kids," Marin said. "He gave his life for us, making sure we were OK. He got me out with my kids and told me to take them to a safe place. That was his priority -- our kids -- making sure they were safe."

READIndy fire leaves man in critical condition

After escaping the house, Marin realized his adopted son, Marin-Doan, was missing along with the family's Jeep.

Marin-Doan was taken into custody in Adams County two days after the fire.

On Tuesday, Marin-Doan was waived to adult court, court records show.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, fire investigators determined a fuel commonly used in weed eaters had been poured on the carpet of a stairwell in the house.

Following his arrest, Marin-Doan reportedly admitted to police that he poured the fuel out in the house and then lit it with a lighter.

Marin told police that Marin-Doan had been threatening to kill everyone in the house. According to the affidavit, the most recent threat was made on Oct. 28 – less than a week before the fire.

Marin-Doan allegedly wanted to kill his adopted parents so “he could get a cell next to his biological father in prison.”

Police said Marin-Doan was not mad at the time of his arrest and said he did not know why he started the fire. He also allegedly told police he'd started another fire in the past at a different location.

As of Tuesday evening, an initial hearing for Marin-Doan in adult court had not yet been set.