Louisiana Man Arrested After Allegedly Setting Fire to Ex-Girlfriend’s Home with Children Inside, Charged with Attempted Murder and Other Charges

Hammond, Louisiana – On August 21, 2022, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (LASFM) reported that they have arrested a Baton Rouge man for allegedly setting fire to an ex-girlfriend’s home while her daughters were inside.

Danielle Johnson, 38, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was arrested on two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder and one count each of Aggravated Arson, Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Violation of a Protection Order, and Criminal Trespass.

The Hammond Fire Department responded to a complaint of a house fire in the 4300 block of Billville Road in the late evening hours of August 20. Firefighters discovered that a pet dog alerted two sisters about the fire. The girls, aged 11 and 14, were sleeping at home. While the girls were able to flee, the dog was unable to do so. Because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the incident, the Hammond Fire Prevention team requested the LASFM’s aid in investigating the fire.

Deputies determined the fire was purposely started near the front door of the home after inspecting the scene.

LASFM deputies were able to identify Johnson as a suspect in the case after working with the Hammond Fire and Police departments. Johnson is the owner’s ex-boyfriend and the mother of the two girls who were inside the residence at the time of the incident.

Johnson was apprehended after the teams conducted a comprehensive search of the area.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal praised the Hammond Fire and Police Departments, as well as the whole community, for their assistance in expeditiously resolving this matter.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.