An area woman and her granddaughter are facing more than a decade in prison after allegedly burning down the home of another relative.
A Union County Grand Jury has indicted Rosa M. McMillen, 84, of 127 Hemlock Drive, and her granddaughter, Ashley Lynn Harrington, also known as Ashley Lynn Diamond, 35, of 21913 Raymond Rd.
McMillen and Harrington are each charged with one count of aggravated arson, one count of insurance fraud and one count of vandalism.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said McMillen owned a mobile home on Rapp Dean Road. He said she allowed her son, Harrington’s uncle, to live in the home.
On Sept. 12, the occupant was in the hospital when McMillen and Harrington allegedly conspired to burn down the trailer. In addition to damaging the home, the fire destroyed many of the resident’s personal items and property.
After the fire department put the fire out, “the fire investigator came to the conclusion this was caused by arson,” Phillips said.
At that point investigators from the sheriff’s office also looked into the fire and also believed it was arson.
Phillips said he did not want to get into the specifics of the crime except to say they believe that Harrington went into the mobile home and, using a torch, lit it on fire causing it to burn. He said investigators do not believe the woman used an accelerant.
He said that “based on the evidence at the scene” investigators believe McMillen “did not personally set the fire (but) she was part of it.”
The same day the trailer burned, McMillen allegedly made an insurance claim.
“It appears both women made some false statements to the insurance company,” Phillips said.
The prosecutor said that when they were confronted, both women denied being involved or even being at the mobile home. He said investigators found video footage of the women traveling to the scene.
Investigators determined the resident was not part of the plan and had no knowledge of it.
Phillips said the alleged arson “appears to have been financially motivated” rather than by any vendetta against the occupant.
If convicted, McMillen and Harrington could each face as many as 11 years in prison.