Centerville woman charged with first-degree arson
CENTERVILLE — Officers say they've charged a Centerville woman for setting fire to a home over her belief the residents were abusing her dog.
Mandy Kay Davis, 52, of Centerville, was charged with first-degree arson in connection with a residential fire on June 28 at 811 S. 19th St. in Centerville. Police said they received a report that Davis had lit a fire on the home's front porch, and was attempting to start another fire with a gas can while the Centerville Fire Department was still on scene.
Court filings say Davis told police she believed her emotional support dog was being abused "by people and believed it was occurring" at the residence.
An individual living at the home said Davis had been at their residence earlier in the day, but they couldn't think of a reason that Davis would be upset enough to start a fire at the home.
If convicted of the arson charge, Davis faces up to 25 years in prison with a mandatory minimum between 50-70% of the sentence. Davis is being held in the Appanoose County Jail.
