Accused Crotch Arsonist Released From Jail
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -- The woman accused of setting her boyfriend's crotch on fire was released from jail Saturday.
Berlinda Dixon-Newbold is accused of lighting her boyfriend's crotch, pants and shirt afire while he slept on a couch.
A woman who identifies herself as Berlinda's mom says she helped Berlinda post bail and calls the story "garbage." She says the boyfriend is lying about everything.
But last week Sheldon Gonzalez, the victim, had other things to say about his alleged ordeal.
"You tend to, like, get upset when somebody trying to harm the family jewels!" Gonzalez said.
Dixon-Newbold had a tear in her eye as her photo was taken for a mug shot prior to being booked into the Broward County Jail.
"The bottom of his shirt and his pants were on fire in the crotch area," said Broward Circuit Judge John Hurley as he began a bond hearing for Newbold last week.
She is charged with aggravated assault. The judge said she was lucky not to be charged with arson.
Gonzalez told police the trouble began Tuesday night – he got home late – she needed attention – but he was tired and dosed off on the couch.
"The flame was right here," Gonzalez said, pointing at his crotch. "I just felt the heat in my groin area and I just reacted and she was right over me with…the lighter burning the T-shirt I was wearing. "
"Did you see any fire down there?" asked CBS 4's Ted Scouten. "Yes," he said.
Gonzalez said he moved quickly to douse the flames.
As for getting back with Berlinda – Gonzalez said he is ready to douse that flame, too; in fact she's not even allowed anywhere near him.
"You have to stay 500 feet from him at all times," ordered Judge Hurley. And he continued, "You're not allowed to possess any lighters or any matches, either."
She's was held on $6,500 bond.
