Maryland Woman Faces Attempted Murder and Arson Charges for Intentionally Setting Home on Fire

A Maryland woman is now facing serious charges, including attempted murder and arson, following an incident in which she allegedly set her own home on fire while another person was inside.

The incident unfolded early Sunday morning around 3 a.m., when the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a house fire on Shady Drive.

Upon arrival, deputies found the front porch of the residence ablaze but acted swiftly to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers.

Troubling Circumstances

Inside the neighbor's house, deputies discovered the homeowner, Christina L. Beattie, who had taken refuge there after an argument with a male occupant of her own home.

According to the neighbor, Beattie had been offered a place to stay for the night while the man remained in her house.

However, just 20 minutes later, Beattie left the neighbor's residence, and upon her return, her own home was engulfed in flames while the man was still inside.

Investigation and Charges

The State Fire Marshals Office was promptly summoned to investigate the incident. With the assistance of a K9 unit, they concluded that the fire had been intentionally set.

As a result, Beattie has been charged with a range of serious offenses, including first- and second-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning, and attempted murder.

Legal Consequences

Beattie has been remanded to the Harford County Detention Center and is being held without bond.

The investigation into this troubling matter continues.