Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Trying to Kill Boyfriend, Setting Him on Fire

A 34-year-old Antioch woman entered not guilty pleas Thursday to charges that she tried to kill her boyfriend after setting him on fire following an argument on their front porch, the Daily Herald reports.

Deborah C. Roberts is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a flammable substance and aggravated domestic battery following the May 17 attack.

She is accused of pushing her boyfriend, Chad Malanowski, down the stairs to their front porch in the 25000 block of Golfview Ave. in unincorporated Antioch during a domestic dispute. She then allegedly poured gasoline on him and set him on fire. Malanowski tried to put out the flames with a garden hose but witnesses told police Roberts continued to pour gasoline on him.

Roberts contends she tried to put out the fire out with a hose, the Daily Herald reports. Authorities said both had been drinking before the fight.

When deputies arrived, they found severe burns to Malanowski’s torso, arms, face and head.

Malanowski was first transported to Advocate Condell Hospital and then flown to the burn unit at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee where he remains in critical condition. He has second and third degree burns that cover over 45 percent of his body.

Roberts could face up to 82 years in prison if convicted on all charges. She remains in custody in Lake County on a $250,000 bail, according to the Daily Herald.

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