Hawa Hassan, a 30-year-old woman from Columbus, Ohio, faces felony arson charges after allegedly setting fire to her apartment while threatening to kill her four children. The children escaped unharmed and are now in custody of Franklin County Children's Services. Police say Hassan admitted to starting the fire.
Hawa Hassan, 30, was arrested on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, after allegedly igniting a fire in her apartment's bedroom. Witnesses reported that her four children told neighbors their mother had threatened their lives, saying she was 'going to kill them all' while using a lighter to start the blaze. The children managed to escape without injury, and no other harm was reported at the Hilltop apartment complex near a middle school. Charred damage was visible on the building's exterior, as reported by local station WSYX citing court documents obtained from the Columbus Division of Police and Franklin County Sheriff's Office records. When officers spoke to Hassan at the scene, she admitted to setting the fire, according to the documents. Hassan faces charges of aggravated arson, along with misdemeanor counts of assault and domestic violence by assault. She remains in custody at Franklin County Jail without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for May 4.