Snohomish man arrested; wife says he set her on fire

SNOHOMISH — A man was behind bars Thursday after his wife reported that he lit her on fire because he suspected she was cheating on him.

The woman’s chest, left arm and both hands were covered in burns, a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy wrote in an affidavit filed in Everett District Court. The injuries were making it difficult for her to breastfeed the couple’s 7-month-old child.

The woman waited three days after Sunday’s assault to seek medical attention, saying she was afraid that her husband would hurt her or their children. She went to Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County on Wednesday. Staff there called police to report the incident.

Deputies later that day arrested the Snohomish man, 30, and booked him into the jail for investigation of first-degree assault. He had been arrested Jan. 1 for allegedly biting his wife’s arm.

He was back home Sunday when he accused his wife of being unfaithful. He allegedly threatened to burn her if she didn’t tell him whom she was seeing, court papers said. The woman denied the allegations.

She said that’s when her husband threw rubbing alcohol on her chest and neck and ignited the liquid with a cigarette lighter. Her shirt and bra caught fire. She was able to pat out the flames.

Her husband tried to help her take off her burning shirt and then blamed her, claiming she had not told the truth, court papers said. Their four children were in the next room.

While she was at Domestic Violence Services, her husband sent her text messages, threatening to kill her and her parents, who are in Mexico, if she went to police, according to the affidavit.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.com

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, resources are available from Domestic Violence Services. The agency provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy and support groups. For more information, call the 24-hour crisis line at 425-252-2873.