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The Register-Guard: City/Region
A Florence woman who admitted that she ransacked and set fire to her neighbors’ home because she believed they had taken her car keys and later found the keys in her own pocket was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail.
The victim, meanwhile, is out of a home, out of a job and struggling to get by with her 1-year-old daughter.
The incident happened Sept. 6 at a mobile home park near Florence. Amanda Lee McDaniel, 23, summoned firefighters after setting the fire, according to a sheriff’s office report. McDaniel pleaded guilty to first-degree arson, first-degree burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief.
Defense lawyer Marie Desmond said McDaniel has a history of alcoholism and depression. Desmond said McDaniel has been spiraling out of control recently.
She speculated that a drug reaction involving alcohol and anti-depressant drugs led to McDaniel’s behavior.
“Ms. McDaniel has a severe substance abuse problem,” Desmond told Lane County Circuit Judge Charles Carlson. “It’s the proverbial cry for help. More than anything, she wants counseling.”