Dexter woman charged with setting her roommate's bed on fire

DEXTER, Mo. -- A Dexter woman is facing charges in connection with an alleged arson in November at a local nursing home.

Joyce Johnson, 59, is charged with felony elder abuse and first-degree arson.

According to a report filed by Dexter Police Department detective Trevor Pulley, a fire was reported at Golden Living Center-Dexter and the fire department requested Dexter police officers come to investigate arson.

Pulley said the bed of Johnson's 73-year-old roommate had been set on fire while she was asleep in the bed. There were two other residents in the room, and neither was injured by the blaze.

According to the report, no accelerant was believed to have been used, and the bed appeared to be working properly and had no mechanical or electrical problems.

Employees were interviewed, and several noted that Johnson had been the last person in the room.

In the initial interview with Johnson, Pulley said, she denied any involvement with the fire. In another interview, however, she admitted to having set the fire with a lighter.

Johnson said she had no problem with the roommate whose bed she allegedly set on fire and did not intend to hurt anyone.

During the interview, Johnson said the incident was a "cry for help."

She was arrested in Dunklin County on Wednesday.

Johnson is being housed in the Stoddard County Jail in lieu of a $35,000 cash-only bond.

Pertinent address:

Dexter, MO