EMPORIUM — An Emporium woman will serve at least six months in jail after pleading guilty to catching her own house on fire last year.
Ashley Callaway, 31, entered an open guilty plea in November to two felony counts related to arson at her residence on Old West Creek Road in Shippen Township. On Tuesday, she was sentenced to serve six to 24 months in a county jail facility, followed by five years of probation.
In March 2017, Emporium Volunteer Fire Department members were called out to suppress a fire at Callaway’s residence. An electrical fire had broken out several days prior and was also handled by the fire department, but was determined to be accidental in nature. The second fire was reported to the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal, as it was believed it had several separate points of origin.
State Trooper John Whitcomb did discover several points of origin within the home, and from most, the ignition source appeared to have been introduced and then removed. Piles of burnt papers were found in several locations throughout the home, as was a partially burned mattress, power strip and several other items.
As part of the pre-sentencing investigation, Callaway was ordered to undergo a mental health examination, and it was determined that she suffers from a major depressive disorder that was exacerbated by postpartum depression.
Callaway’s attorney, Cameron County Public Defender Christopher Martini, stated that, though the mental health issues did not excuse what she did, they should be considered during sentencing.
President Judge Richard Masson agreed, adding a stipulation that Callaway must follow through with all mental health treatment recommendations.
Masson stated that, although there are underlying issues that contributed to the incident that should be considered, they must be balanced against the seriousness of the offense.
“Sanctions without a period of incarceration would diminish the seriousness of these crimes,” Masson said. “You placed the public at risk—first responders and the whole community.”
