Dad charged in motor home fire than endangered child (Carolina Beach, North Carolina)

I don't even get this. Why did dad MICHAEL DAVID GOENS set fire to the Winnebago when his daughter was inside? So SWEET of him to help her get out after the fact, but what the f***? And where is the mom? Is this a single dad?

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091229/ARTICLES/912299964/1004

Man charged in motor home fire that endangered child

Michael David Goens, 36, was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with burning property and misdemeanor child abuse because his daughter was in the Winnebago when the fire was set.

Published: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.

Carolina Beach A man was arrested this month and charged with setting fire to the motor home where he lived in Carolina Beach in October, officials said.

Michael David Goens, 36, was arrested Dec. 15 and charged with burning property and misdemeanor child abuse because his daughter was in the Winnebago when the fire was set, said Chief William Younginer of the Carolina Beach Police Department.

No one was injured in the fire, which caused about $5,000 in damage to the vehicle.

Younginer said Goens got his daughter out of the trailer, and that authorities don’t allege he was trying to hurt her.

He also said police aren’t certain of a motive for the crime and that the trailer was not insured.

On Oct. 23, at 7:30 a.m., authorities went to a mobile home park on North Lake Boulevard, Younginer said.

Goens told police he saw someone run from the Winnebago, Younginer said, but other witnesses didn’t see anyone. A police K-9 couldn’t find anyone to track.

The vehicle belonged to Goens’ father, who does not want to pursue the case, Younginer said. The fire brought out an emergency response, could have endangered other vehicles in the trailer park and led to hours of investigating, Younginer said.

– David Reynolds