A Rocky Top woman allegedly started a fire at a home north of Clinton with an adult and two children inside in June, and she was arrested Monday, authorities said.
The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said Sharon Lee Braden, 48, of Rocky Top, was arrested on charges of aggravated arson, three counts of aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. Those charges are related to a June fire at a home on Offutt Road, which is east of Lake City Highway (Highway 25/State Route 9) between Clinton and Rocky Top.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sean Flynn issued arrest warrants as a result of evidence collected during his investigation and statements made by an eyewitness, a press release said.
“The witness reported that he saw Braden start the fire, and when he approached her, she fled,” the press release said.
The victims, Randy Cox Sr. and two children, were able to evacuate safely from the home, the release said.
“The witness stated Braden approached him at Sammy’s Market in Rocky Top a few days later and told him he ‘should have let Mr. Cox burn in the fire,'” the press release said. “The witness explained there were also two children in the home, and Braden responded saying ‘they aren’t no kin to me.'”
In the press release, Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker said Flynn, the detective, “did a great job on this case.
“His hard work resulted in removing a very dangerous person off our streets,” Barker said.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fire incident involving a vehicle and camper that occurred Monday at the same address, the press release said. Braden is a suspect in this investigation, the release said.
Braden is being held at the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on a $260,000 bond.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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