Student, 19, pleads guilty to setting fire at Ohio college, 2nd arson charge dropped

Student, 19, pleads guilty to fire at Ohio college

CINCINNATI — A student has pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated arson in an Ohio college fire during which another student died.

Freshman Jordan Cullen entered the guilty plea Tuesday. In exchange, prosecutors dropped another arson charge.

The 19-year-old Cullen admits setting fire to the College of Mount St. Joseph’s art building March 5. She also had been accused of setting fire to her dorm.

The fires caused $20,000 in damage.

A coroner ruled 28-year-old student Daviene Hutsell died of a heart attack during a campus evacuation.

Cullen faced no charges in the death. She could receive up to five years in prison at her Aug. 4 sentencing.

Assistant prosecutor Gerald Krumpelbeck says Cullen has mental issues but isn’t mentally ill.

Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, www.enquirer.com