A 27-year-old woman was arrested late Friday night after police say she intentionally set her home on fire and threatened to kill herself.
Uhrichsville police said officers and firefighters were called to 256 Pearl St. around 11:45 p.m. Aug. 8 for a reported structure fire. The caller told dispatchers that her daughter, Mariah Whitman, had phoned to say she had set her house on fire and planned to take her own life.
Officers Meghann Mullane and Brian Lawver, along with Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Deputy Bailey, arrived and confirmed the home was burning. Authorities said they tried to enter the residence but were forced back by heavy smoke.
Uhrichsville firefighters arrived and knocked down the flames before conducting two searches of the home. No one was found inside, but Whitman returned to the scene a short time later, unharmed, police said.
Based on witness statements and evidence collected at the scene, Whitman was arrested on suspicion of aggravated arson and taken to the Tuscarawas County Jail. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office also responded and gathered additional evidence.
On Monday, Whitman was formally charged with aggravated arson, a second-degree felony.
Police thanked multiple agencies for their assistance, including the Uhrichsville Fire Department, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, Dennison Police Department, New Philadelphia Fire Department, Dennison Fire Department, Arrowhead Joint Fire District and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
