A woman in Clearwater, Florida has been accused of setting a man on fire. 33-year-old Melissa Dawn Sellers reportedly covered Carlos Ortiz Jr. with nail polish remover before lighting him on fire.
A woman in Clearwater, Florida has been accused of setting a man on fire. 33-year-old Melissa Dawn Sellers reportedly covered Carlos Ortiz Jr. with nail polish remover before lighting him on fire.
Police claimed the male victim was her boyfriend, however mutual friends say the pair were just roommates.
Regardless of their situation, officers say Sellers used either a lit cigarette or a lighter to start the fire. The horrific incident occurred Wednesday at approximately 2:30 in the morning.
Sellers and Ortiz had gotten into a disagreement and during the argument, the woman produced the nail polish remover and doused the victim.
Law enforcement has not released what was the cause of the altercation, but according to a witness, Sellers became angry when Ortiz threw away her spaghetti and meatballs.
After he was set on fire, Ortiz was transported to Tampa General Hospital where his condition is listed as critical. He suffered from burns to his shoulders, face and chest.
Sellers has been arrested and is now facing a charge of aggravated battery.
A neighbor of the pair remarked “I knew she was real stressed and she had some legal problems and things. She may have lost it but I can't imagine someone just wanting to hurt someone viciously like that. It's a horrible thing.”
