Hillsborough Mom Sets Fire To Apartment, Charged With Arson: Cops

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A Hillsborough mother of three was charged after police say she deliberately set fire to her township apartment last week, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced Monday.

A 911 call reported a fire at 33-year-old Jacklyn McLoughlin's Treeman Drive apartment in Hillsborough on April 20 at about 11:10 p.m. A neighbor reported seeing McLoughlin fleeing the scene with her three children before Hillsborough firefighters and police arrived, police said.

As a result of the fire, three other tenants were displaced due to water damage from extinguishing the fire, Robertson said.

An investigation by detectives from the Somerset County Major Crimes Unit and Hillsborough Township Police found that three separate fires were intentionally set within in the apartment. It was also discovered that the fires were planned and deliberately set by McLoughlin, Robertson said.

McLoughlin was later found at a home in Perth Amboy and her children were released to a family member.

McLoughlin was arrested and charged on April 23 with second degree aggravated arson, second degree widespread injury or damage, second degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third degree hindering apprehension. She was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to the arson is to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4323 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.