BAYTOWN, TX – Authorities say a 40-year-old man is facing murder charges after his father, unable to walk, died in a house fire that investigators believe was intentionally set.
Firefighters responded Monday to a blaze on the 1900 block of Chilton Drive, where they found 73-year-old Floyd Hadley dead in a bathtub. Officials said he had called 911, telling dispatchers his home was burning and that he could not escape, but he was unable to make it out before being overtaken by the flames.
Court documents allege Clinton Hadley, Floyd’s son, ignited the fire and fled the scene moments before the home became engulfed. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence reportedly shows Clinton leaving the property and jumping a fence before driving away in a Toyota Corolla.
Investigators suspect the fire was deliberately set, citing evidence that the gas meter at the home had been broken or tampered with prior to the fire erupting. The incident, which occurred around 3:37 p.m., was reportedly set off within seconds of Clinton’s departure.
Authorities captured Clinton Hadley later that same day across state lines in Slidell, Louisiana, near New Orleans. Police say he attempted to set fire to a business after demanding gas money from an employee, further escalating the situation.
Clinton Hadley has a reported history of mental health issues and prior welfare checks. The previous night, a relative contacted authorities expressing concern about his behavior and a threat to burn down the house. Responding officers checked on the residence but were unable to prevent the tragedy hours later.
During police interviews, Clinton allegedly admitted to setting fire to furniture inside the Baytown home, fully aware that his disabled father remained inside and unable to leave. Authorities say the motive appeared to be his desire to ‘get away from his family’ and destroy the residence.
Following his arrest in Louisiana, Clinton was charged with offenses including remaining in a place after being forbidden, resisting arrest, and terrorizing. Meanwhile, Harris County prosecutors have filed a murder charge in connection with his father’s death.
Officials are coordinating to extradite Clinton Hadley from Louisiana back to Texas to face charges related to the deadly arson.