A north Fayette County woman who allegedly doused her home with possible gasoline and set it on fire while talking to an Australian woman she met in an Internet chatroom earlier this month turned herself in to the Fayette County Jail Monday.
Teresa Ann Maselli, of 405 Oak Hill Drive, Fayetteville, faces one count of first-degree arson in connection with the Jan. 11 incident, Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman Capt. Pete Nelms said.
She is being very cooperative, Nelms said of the 38-year-old Maselli.
Maselli was released later that same day Monday after posting a $5,600 bond, Fayette County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Lt. Belinda McCastle said.
Maselli, who reportedly has children, lived in the gray and white home located off of Ga. Highway 85 with her husband. Her husband was not at home at the time.
A Fayette County deputy identified as Shane Whitlock responded to the home at 11:47 p.m. Jan. 11 after local 911 dispatchers received a call from a woman who lived in Calgary, Canada, who stated Maselli needed help.
The Canadian resident and an Australian resident were chatting online at the time. The Canadian woman made the call after an Australian resident, who was speaking with Maselli over the phone, heard a loud explosion in the background.
The three women met in an Internet chatroom where depression is discussed, officials said.
Deputy Whitlock found the home engulfed in flames. He also allegedly spotted an injured Maselli exiting from the rear of the home.
A Clayton County Emergency Medical Services unit also saw fire coming from Masellis home while returning from a patient transport from Piedmont Fayette Hospital. The EMTs stopped and rendered aid to Maselli.
Fayette County fire and rescue crews responded at 11:53 p.m. and doused the flames. The home was gutted.
Maselli was transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital where she remained several days recuperating from her injuries. Information about Masellis injuries were not released. However, Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services Director Jack Krakeel did state Masellis injuries were not life-threatening.