Arson charge against nurse is dropped in Henry County

2/28/2006

NAPOLEON - A registered nurse charged in connection with an arson attempt on her Napoleon home in 2004 saw the charge against her dismissed after opening statements in her trial in Henry County Common Pleas Court yesterday.

Cheryl Jenkins, a nurse at Lima Memorial Hospital who now lives in Putnam County, had been accused of aiding and abetting an attempted aggravated arson on the Napoleon house that she now rents out.

A small fire broke out in the home's garage about 4 a.m. on July 29, 2004, and was quickly extinguished by teenage neighbors with minimal damage. Ms. Jenkins and her children were in the process of moving and no one was home at the time.

Investigators found a trail of gasoline and paper towels from the garage into the bedrooms.

Yesterday, after jury selection and opening statements, the court broke for lunch. When it resumed, County Prosecutor John Hanna dismissed the case. He declined to say why.

Ms. Jenkins' lawyer, Matthew Hutchinson, said Ms. Jenkins is an upstanding citizen with no criminal record.