A Montz family whose new home was destroyed in an arson last year is preparing to move into the newly rebuilt structure.
David Ceaser’s new home, located on Edgewood Lane in the Evangeline Estates neighborhood in Montz, was about 80 percent complete when 26-year-old Beau Badeaux and two juveniles set fire to the house last May, almost completely destroying it.
Badeaux was later convicted of aggravated arson in connection with the fire and was sentenced to six years in prison. However, he will only spend two years in jail after four years of his sentence were suspended.
Ceaser said although the arson caused hardship in his life and delayed the completion of his home by nearly a year, he does not hold a grudge against Badeaux.
“He is in jail. I hope he learns and he gets himself fixed. I don’t wish any ill faith on this guy. It happened and life goes on,” he said. “I realized that I am not going to live my life worrying about them getting punished.”
While Badeaux was convicted of the crime, the two juveniles that were present were also arrested, but their punishment was much lighter. Ceaser said he has used the situation as an example for his kids on who they should associate with.
“That is why you always get to know who you are with and not just follow the crowd because you can be in that much trouble that quick,” he said.
After the fire, the home was demolished except for a garage in the rear of the property that was able to be salvaged.
After months of construction, the home is nearly complete, again, and Ceaser is making plans to move in his family.
“We are 99.9 percent complete. I am putting in an alarm system and the floors went in this weekend. It is just a matter of doing finalizing stuff,” he said.
Luckily, Ceaser’s homeowner’s insurance covered the entire loss outside of a $1,000 deductible that was later paid back by the perpetrators of the crime.
Bouncing back from the tragedy was hard for the family, but Ceaser said he feels like it was something that had to be done.
“I tell people all the time when the good Lord stops making trees I’ll be concerned about building another house, but as long as he makes trees I’ll be OK,” he said.
Ceaser received a lot of support from his soon-to-be neighbors in Evangeline Estates after the tragedy and is happy to be a part of the community.
“I had people from the neighborhood that I didn’t even know coming up to me and just offering anything from money to support to prayers. It was greatly appreciated,” he said.
After more than a year of building and rebuilding his Montz home, Ceaser is more than ready to move his family out of the home he grew up in and into the new home.
“We are in good shape, but we are tired and ready to get this over with,” he said. “I don’t know if the first day I am going to light a barbecue pit and boil crawfish or just lay on the floor and pass out. One way or the other there is going to be a celebration.”
Be the first to comment