BUCYRUS — Susan Wells of Bucyrus appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court on Monday for a hearing on continued competence.
Wells, 72, is charged with first-degree aggravated arson, punishable by up to 11 years in prison and four counts of intimidation. Wells is accused of setting a fire that destroyed a multi-unit dwelling located at 304 W. Mansfield Street.
According to the fire department, the structure was a complete loss. Wells is also charged with four counts of intimidation after altercations with four different officers. Each count of intimidation is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 36 months on each count.
Wells is charged with setting fire to her kitchen curtains and then leaving the residence. The fire spread quickly, engulfing the entire structure. Wells was taken into custody after she was located walking down old Route 30 where she was making threats. Wells told the court she had stopped taking her medication and had no recollection of committing the crimes.
Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold ordered Wells to be taken to Twin Valley Behavioral Hospital in Columbus to determine if she was competent to stand trial on the allegations.
Wells was transported from the hospital to the court for a hearing to determine the next steps in the case. Dr. Gary Davis of Twin Valley Behavioral Hospital submitted a report to the court stating that Wells is not competent to stand trial at this time but that with continued therapy she could be returned to competency.
Leuthold ordered that Wells remain hospitalized at the Twin Valley Behavior Health Hospital to restore competency.