Iowa Woman Arrested for Dousing Woman in Flammable Substance, Lighting Her on Fire

Lindsy Maves, a 28-year-old woman, is facing an attempted murder charge after she allegedly lit another woman on fire, causing the victim to be hospitalized.

Officers arriving on the scene at 1435 N.15th Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa, shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Monday found a woman they identified as Christine Weilage out front of a building with "severe burns" on her body, according to the Council Bluffs Police Department.

However, the actual location of the alleged attack was about three blocks away. Brandy Wallar, director of New Visions Homeless Services where Weilage was found, told WOWT it was "traumatizing" for the victim and those who saw her run towards the building.

"It's horrific where we didn't know if she was going to live or die. There's a ripple effect, where they wonder if it could happen to them as well," Wallar said.

Weilage was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment.

Maves was booked into the Pottawattamie County jail on Monday, about 14 hours after officers were called to the scene of the crime. Along with an attempt to commit murder, a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, Maves was charged with willful injury resulting in serious injury and first-degree arson, which also carries a 25-year prison sentence.

Although still an ongoing investigation, Council Bluffs police officers believe that a "disturbance" broke out between Weilage and Maves. At some point, the police department said Maves "sprayed a flammable substance" on Weilage and then lit her on fire.

A witness attempted to put the fire out, at which point, Maves allegedly attacked the victim again by hitting her in the face with an "unknown object."

By the time officers arrived on the scene, the 28-year-old had fled. When police issued their first press release, they had been unable to locate the suspect. However, on Monday evening, the police announced they'd found Maves and arrested her on the three charges.

Investigators believe the two women were fighting over a guy, according to WOWT, and court records show Maves' bond was set at $25,000.

A GoFundMe was set up to help cover Weilage's medical expenses and it said she suffered third-degree burns on 20 percent of her body and a broken nose. The GoFundMe claimed she was asleep when she was set on fire. It's raised about $1,300 in the day since it was created and has a goal of $30,000.

Given that police are still investigating the incident, officers are asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who has information on what transpired to call the police department or Crime Stoppers.