Nicholas Bostic, Celebrated for Fire Rescue, Sues Father and Stepmother for Fraud

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An Indiana man who received national attention in 2022 for running into a burning house to rescue children is accusing his father and stepmother, who live in White County, of fraud for taking more than $180,000 from him.

Nicholas L. Bostic was delivering pizzas when he saw a burning house and rushed in to lead an 18-year-old and three children outside. He then ran back inside to rescue a 6-year-old girl and leaped out a second-story window, with the child in his arms, to escape the flames.

While Bostic was in the hospital recovering from his injuries, a relative created a GoFundMe account to cover his medical bills.

With the money raised, Bostic also bought a house in Indiana, which he sold in 2023 for $195,000. The proceeds from the sale were deposited into an account that was created in his name and that of his stepmother, Trina Bostic of White County, according to his lawsuit, filed last month in White County Circuit Court.

In August 2023, he and his stepmother then opened a joint certificate of deposit account at a bank in Searcy and deposited nearly $183,000.

But in October 2023, Nicholas was removed from the ownership of the CD account “after being persuaded” by his father, Gary Bostic, and stepmother to do so, the lawsuit said.

Nicholas Bostic said he asked them for the funds, but they refused to return any of the funds and insisted they are protecting the money, the lawsuit said.

He is seeking to recover the money and has asked that a receiver be appointed for the money.

Nicholas Bostic is represented by attorney Penny Choate Agee of Searcy.

Trina and Gary Bostic could not be reached for comment. As of Tuesday afternoon, they had not filed an answer in the lawsuit.