Pierre Collins, charged in son’s death, is probed for insurance claim in fire
Collins, unemployed and saddled with debt, was charged with second-degree murder and is being held in lieu of
Collins was declared a prime suspect within days of the boy's disappearance after investigators learned that he had taken out two life insurance policies on his son. Two days before the child was reported missing by his father, Collins had called the insurer of one of the policies to bump the
Collins and his family -- which included his second wife, Barway and other siblings -- moved into an apartment complex in
The fire broke out that Sunday evening in a lower-floor unit. Collins, who according to court documents also has used the alias
120 at the time of the blaze.
<p>The fire, which spread to the second floor and roof, proved stubborn for firefighters. It appeared under control, only to reignite six hours later.
Although the fire initially was deemed accidental by fire officials,
That claim is under review by the state
"We cannot say or release anything publicly at this time," said agency spokesperson
Prosecutors say the life insurance policies are the central motive behind the boy's disappearance and death. Collins has denied involvement. According to the complaint, Collins' cellphone was traced the day of the disappearance to the same section of the
Collins had attended a child-support hearing that day involving children from a previous marriage. According to court records, Collins has been the subject of several liens and judgments filed against him in recent years.
One involved a claim he filed last year for at least
"We felt he filed a false insurance claim and took him to court," said
Given that
Collins, for whom a public defender will be appointed, has a court hearing scheduled for
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