Tuscaloosa Woman Admits To Attempted Arson After Receiving Eviction Notice

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Court records say a Tuscaloosa woman has been charged with second degree arson after she was accused of trying to burn down her apartment building on Hargrove Road last week due to being served an eviction notice earlier in the month.

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According to a deposition obtained by Patch, Baendalyn Washington Hayward, 58, is a resident of the 1300 block Hargrove Road in Tuscaloosa — at Bonitta Terrace — who was given a 30-day eviction notice on April 3 due to "inappropriate behavior" and not paying her rent since December 2021.

In a separate letter delivered to Hayward, investigators say she was told the eviction was also due in part to her threatening behavior toward other residents, in addition to exposing herself in public.

The deposition then states she attempted to set the building on fire by using a lighter to ignite a pile of clothes and a blanket, which ultimately resulted in the felony charge.

Hayward told investigators she "wanted to set the building on fire because they are kicking me out."

Luckily, the fire was easily contained and did not cause damage to the building or any other personal property.

Hayward remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail after being charged, with her total bond set at $5,000.

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