Caleb Romans was a 12-year-old boy described as vibrant and sporty who died in a house fire on April 6, 2008, in rural London, Ohio. He perished with his mother, Billi Romans, and his 16-year-old sister, Ami, after a fire that began just after midnight in the family’s 2001 Ford Expedition parked in a carport attached to the home. Frantic 911 calls were made from inside, but the family could not escape.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office later determined the blaze had been intentionally set and the Madison County Coroner ruled the deaths a homicide. The investigation went cold for more than a decade. In July 2019 authorities arrested the children’s father, Peter Romans, on aggravated murder and arson charges, citing what investigators described as new evidence including an accelerant and a conclusion that the ignition began outside the SUV. He maintained his innocence, had previously sued Ford alleging a vehicle defect, pleaded not guilty, and was tried before a three-judge panel.

In October 2020 the panel found Peter Romans not guilty of all charges. No one has been held responsible for the deaths of Caleb, Ami, and Billi Romans. Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip to the Ohio Attorney General’s office.