The charges include arson and extreme animal cruelty
Cecilia Rivera, 21, faces arson and animal cruelty charges for allegedly setting a fire that killed a dog.
A woman from San Juan County, New Mexico, is accused of arson after setting fire to her boyfriend’s house and killing his dog, according to court documents.
Cecilia Rivera, 21, is charged with second-degree aggravated arson, second-degree arson over $20,000 and fourth-degree extreme cruelty to animals in connection with a July 31 fire on County Road 3950.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Rivera reportedly used Kingsford lighter fluid as an accelerant in the master bedroom to set the house on fire, then left her boyfriend, Chad Burson, and his dog, Seaweed, in the house.
When firefighters arrived on scene, Burson was “distraught” and “crying” inside, searching for Rivera, who he believed was inside. He reportedly tried to “throw water on the top floor master bedroom” to put out the flames. He also tried to enter the bedroom to find Rivera, according to the affidavit.
Burson suffered first- and second-degree burns to his “head, shoulder and back area” and must undergo an “emergency tracheotomy” before he can be flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for treatment of smoke inhalation and burns, the affidavit states.
Firefighters reportedly found Seaweed inside the home “unresponsive due to smoke inhalation.” They performed CPR, but Seaweed “died as a result of the fire,” the affidavit states.
While emergency responders attempted to extinguish the fire, Rivera arrived on the scene and reportedly “appeared emotionless and changed her story several times,” the affidavit states.
She is said to have stated: “And if I had set the fire, I would not have come back,” but also admitted to “leaving the area in a hurry,” the affidavit states.
Rivera allegedly admitted to “arguing with Burson and being angry at him because of his possible infidelity,” the affidavit states.
Three days after the fire, a San Juan County Sheriff’s detective received a tip that Rivera had admitted to setting the fire. The detective reportedly told the individual that he “admitted to setting the fire on the master bedroom floor,” the affidavit states.
The house “suffered severe fire damage,” with broken windows and severe smoke damage throughout the third and part of the second floor. Repair costs were estimated at $150,000.
On August 5, an arrest warrant was issued for Rivera and executed on August 11. She was taken to the San Juan County Detention Center and released on bail the next day.
A preliminary investigation has also been initiated against Rivera and a preliminary hearing will be held in Aztec Magistrate Court on August 22.
