Stepfather accused of spraying lighter fluid on girl, setting fire

July 15, 2009
kansas.com
BY STAN FINGER AND RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle

Mobile-home fire that burned girl not accidental

Wichita, Kansas--Chris L. Newberry appeared in court Tuesday, accused of trying to kill his 10-year-old stepdaughter by setting her on fire while she slept.

Newberry, 28, stands charged with attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated arson.

The criminal complaint filed by prosecutors Tuesday said Newberry sprayed lighter fluid on 10-year-old Caitlyn Johnson and her bed, then set her on fire as she slept.

Caitlyn sustained second- and third-degree burns over 41 percent of her body — including her face — Wichita police Capt. Brent Allred said. She spent months at a burn hospital before returning home.

Wichita police arrested Newberry on Friday night, after reopening the investigation into a house fire that heavily damaged his family's mobile home in the 5400 block of South Kansas the morning of March 14.

Caitlyn was the only person injured in the fire, Wichita Fire Department Capt. Stuart Bevis said.
Bridget Newberry and three other children, ranging in age from 2 to 6, also were home that morning.

The family had apparently been asleep and fled to a neighbor's house after the fire broke out, Bevis said.

Prosecutors charged Chris Newberry with one count of aggravated arson for each person the fire put in danger.

Questions about the quality of Caitlyn's medical care prompted an investigation by the state Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Allred said.

Authorities removed Caitlyn from the home and placed her in protective custody in June, Allred said.

Concerns by a social worker led SRS to notify police, and follow-up interviews last week resulted in Newberry's arrest.

The four younger children still in the home, including a month-old baby, went into state custody Friday, Allred said.

Caitlyn's mother has been questioned about the fire, Allred said, but police do not consider her a suspect.

more from kansas.com:

Stepfather accused of spraying lighter fluid on girl, setting fire Wed Jul 15, 2009
Chris L. Newberry appeared in court Tuesday, accused of trying to kill his 10-year-old stepdaughter by setting her on fire while she slept. more...

Mobile-home fire that burned girl not accidental Tue Jul 14, 2009
The fire that badly burned 10-year-old Caitlyn Johnson in March is no longer considered an accident, authorities said Monday. more...

Fire that badly burned girl in March an arson, officials say Mon Jul 13, 2009
The fire that badly burned 10-year-old Caitlyn Johnson last March is no longer considered an accident, authorities said today. more...