Five Charged For Detonating Homemade Explosive in Abingdon

An adult and four juveniles face charges for building a homemade explosive that blew up Saturday on an Abingdon woman’s front porch, authorities said.

Kadia Westney, 18, of Edgewood, is being held on $5,000 bond at the Harford County Detention Center in connection with the incident that occurred just before midnight in the 3400 block of Henry Harford Drive, according to Deputy Chief State Fire Marshall Jason M. Mowbray. 

“The one adult and four juveniles had manufactured and placed a chemical reaction device on the front porch of a home where it exploded,” Mowbray said in a prepared statement. “The occupant of the home discovered the device just as it exploded.”

The occupant was not injured and there was no property damage, authorities said.

The four juveniles, who range in age from 16 to 17 years old and are from the Edgewood and Abingdon areas, have been released to the custody of their parents.

All five have been charged with manufacturing, possession and discharge of a destructive device for their alleged roles in the incident, Mowbray said.

“Investigators gained evidence which lead to the identification of the suspects,” Mowbray said.