HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson woman suspected of arson made an initial court appearance via video from the Reno County Jail Wednesday.
18-year-old Kelly Slayton is charged with aggravated arson for the fire at an apartment at 110 W. 10th, Apt. B, back on March 2.
Fire crews responded and found flames and smoke coming from a single-story apartment complex. The fire was controlled in 15 minutes, while units were on scene for two hours. The damage estimate was around $10,000.
Police had been dispatched to the area of 1300 N. Plum in reference to a possible suicidal person in the area on foot. Officers then learned that the female may reside in an apartment complex in the 100 block of West 10th.
After trying to make contact with the woman by knocking on both the front and back doors, police left the back of the apartment, then found the entire front door and entryway fully engulfed in flames. Officers began attempting to gain entry into the apartment when they heard a person inside the rear of the apartment coughing. The officers forced entry at the back door and removed a female from the apartment.
It is believed that the fire was intentionally set. That belief led to the charge against Slayton.
In court, she was asked if she had any comment on the $50,000 bond and she stated “no.” Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen then left the bond the same and scheduled the case as part of a waiver-status docket in front of Judge Joe McCarville on April 15.