This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Cops: Mom Charged With Arson, Child Endangerment

Police say Hampton Bays woman set fire in home with children present.

A 911 call made late in the evening on March 8 brought to a Hampton Bays residence on Springville Road where 27-year-old Callie Hester was arrested at 11:50 p.m. and charged with fifth-degree arson, child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance, all misdemeanors.

According to officers at the scene, Hester had set the contents of a small plastic garbage can on fire during a dispute at her home where children were present.  Sgt. Susan Ralph, who was on duty when the incident occurred, said the three children at the home were "older juveniles and teens," not very young children. Hester is the mother of only one of the kids, who were at the home during the time of her arrest, police said.

A person is guilty of fifth-degree arson when he or she intentionally damages property of another without the consent of the owner by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion, according to New York State Penal Law.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the police report, Hester was also found to be in possession of a quantity of Soma, a prescription drug classified as a controlled substance, that was in an unmarked bottle, which violates New York's public health law.

Ralph said Hester was jailed at police headquarters following her arrest and arraigned the next morning, March 9. The court set bail at $20,000.

Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.