Mother faces arson charge for allegedly setting fire with four children in the house
Jan 2, 2013, 3:24 PM | Updated: 3:46 pm
A mother of four will be facing an arson charge for allegedly starting a fire in her home over her husband’s supposed infidelity.
Prosecutors say that 32-year-old Jenny Mena gathered photographs, a gift box, lingerie and other items in a pile on the floor and set fire to them on Dec. 30.
Mena’s four daughters age 7 to 13 years old were reportedly in the home at the time of the incident.
“Arson is always dangerous, but especially so with children in the house,” said Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “The defendant has been charged with arson with aggravating circumstances for endangering the children.”
Authorities were alerted to the incident when the oldest daughter called an uncle who called 911. The prosecutor’s office says when fire crews arrived on scene they found charred debris on the bedroom floor.
Fire officials reportedly said the likelihood of the home catching fire was extremely high and the children were in imminent danger.
Mena was charged with Arson in the First Degree and her bail was set at $100,000.
