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.
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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.