May 15--A woman and her adult son are accused of torching their house trailer in east Harris County after the new property owner told them to leave.
Shelly Henson, 47, and Shelby Henson, 23, are charged with arson in the April 8 blaze that gutted their trailer in the 14000 block of Duncum, in the Cloverleaf neighborhood, and also damaged a nearby mobile home.
Investigators with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office interviewed a neighbor who said he spotted smoke coming from the trailer, then saw the mother and son run out and drive away in a pickup. Arson investigators also examined a video from a nearby security camera that seemed to corroborate the neighbor's account of what he saw that night.
The lot was purchased from an auction in March. The new owner gave them $1,000 to help with moving expenses and asked them to be off the property by April 13. The money was accepted and a receipt was signed, court documents state.
On April 22, arson investigators questioned Shelly Henson, who initially denied any involvement in the burning. She confessed to starting the fire after learning of the security video and said her son wasn't involved. He also admitted setting the trailer ablaze when confronted with the video, according to the criminal complaint.
Shelby Henson told investigators they used a stove to light papers they found in the house then spread the flames in the front bedroom and the living room. They were unable to set a fire in the back bedroom, officials said.
The two were arrested Tuesday. Shelly Henson is being held at the Harris County Jail with bail set at $20,000, while her son is being held without bail being set. The next court dates for both is Thursday, according to court records.
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