A Grundy County woman has been charged by the TBI with arson and cruelty to animals for allegedly setting fire to a Beersheba Springs home in June while her adult son and her dog were inside.
Melissa Kay Barks, 53, of Beersheba Springs, is behind bars on a $75,000 bond on charges of arson, aggravated arson and felony cruelty to animals, according to a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The fire happened June 14 on Besstown Road in Grundy County's Beersheba Springs, TBI spokesperson Susan Niland said in a statement. Firefighters from the Altamont Fire Department and officers from the Grundy County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and began the probe that was soon joined by TBI agents.
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During the investigation, agents determined the fire had been intentionally set, Niland said, and that one person and a dog were inside the home at the time the fire was ignited. The person managed to escape, but the dog perished.
"The investigation identified Melissa Barks as the individual responsible for setting the fire, and indicated that she knew the animal was inside the home at the time the fire was ignited," Niland said.
District Attorney Courtney C. Lynch said in an email that no humans were hurt.
"The person inside her home was the defendant's adult son, and he did not sustain any injuries," Lynch said. "The defendant did not sustain injuries."
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A Grundy County grand jury returned indictments in November charging Barks, who was taken into custody Dec. 14 and booked into the Grundy County Jail on a bond of $75,000, authorities said.
Jail officials said Barks had not made bond as of Monday. Court officials said Barks has no attorney on record and could have a court appearance set as soon as Jan. 10.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.