Arson that almost killed 7-year-old draws lengthy sentence

Angel C. Hatter drew a 37.5-year sentence Monday, July 25, 2016, for arson under a plea agreement, admitting she torched her own rent house in 2014 in Kendall County. Authorities said her 7-year-old daughter was pulled from the house by a deputy just before it was engulfed in flames. less Angel C. Hatter drew a 37.5-year sentence Monday, July 25, 2016, for arson under a plea agreement, admitting she torched her own rent house in 2014 in Kendall County. Authorities said her 7-year-old daughter ... more Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 36 Caption Close Arson that almost killed 7-year-old draws lengthy sentence 1 / 36 Back to Gallery

BOERNE — A local woman has received a lengthy prison term for setting her home ablaze in 2014 during a custody dispute over her young daughter, who was saved from the burning building by a deputy.

Angel Catherine Hatter, 45, had faced up to 99 years in prison on the arson charge, but pleaded guilty under a sentencing agreement that capped her potential punishment at 45 years, authorities say.

A procession of character witnesses testified on her behalf Monday before state District Judge Keith Williams rejected defense appeals to grant Hatter deferred adjudication. He sentenced her to 37.5 years.

“She tried to claim some sort of mental illness,” prosecutor Steve Wadsworth said Tuesday.

Erratic conduct by Hatter and the absence at school of her daughter, then 7, prompted a welfare check at their rented home on Acker Road in Kendall County on May 22, 2014.

Hatter had called her daughter's teacher that morning, saying that if Hatter couldn’t have her, “no one can,” and told a counseling center in another call, “I'm getting ready to blow this house up,” authorities said.

Kendall County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Jacobsen reported that after he arrived, Hatter emerged from the home with singed hair and a burn on one hand.

Hearing a scream from inside, Jacobsen rushed in, grabbed Hatter’s daughter and fled just before flames — fed by leaking propane — engulfed the residence, Wadsworth said.

Wadsworth called it “a difficult and sad case,” adding, “But for the heroic efforts of Deputy Jacobsen, it could have been much worse.”

Five days after the incident, Jacobsen appeared before Kendall County Commissioners to receive a lifesaving award for his actions.

Hatter’s lawyer, Kurt Rudkin, said the case was a “tragic situation.” The girl is now living with her father, he said.

The case was the talk of courthouse staff for the notoriety of the crime and the inclusion of a fraction of a year in prison time in Judge Williams’ sentence.

Williams declined to explain the oddity Tuesday, saying, “I’ll let it speak for itself.”

Wadsworth could recall only one other instance of a half-year sentence — which was handed down by a jury — in more than a decade as a prosecutor.

zeke@express-news.net