A Washington woman who told police she set fire to her husband because shooting him would be too nice pleaded not guilty to a charge of domestic violence assault.

The King County prosecutor's office says 39-year-old Tatanysha Hedman remained jailed after Tuesday's arraignment in Kent with bail set at $500,000.

Court papers say she poured gasoline over Vincent Phillips on July 16 at their Renton apartment and set the fire because she believed he had abused a child. A friend helped put out the fire and Phillips went to a nearby convenience store asking for help. He was treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for severe burns to his head and chest.

Police investigated the abuse claims, and prosecutors are reviewing the case to decide whether to charge him.