Domestic Dispute Leads To Arson & Drug Charges

Palm Coast, FL – A Palm Coast woman already on probation for felony battery in July 2020 is now facing a slew of new charges after Flagler County Sheriff’s (FCSO) deputies say she tried to set an ex-boyfriend and his home on fire Monday afternoon. Melanie Botts is now charged with Domestic Battery, Arson, Criminal Mischief, drug possession, and Felony Violation of Probation. She is being held on a $61,000 bond. Deputies responded to the victim’s home on Beth Ln. in Palm Coast Monday afternoon. They arrived to find an object on fire in the front yard and they could smell gasoline as they approached the house. The reporting deputy said that due to the smell. it was “very clear” that gas has been poured around the home. The victim told deputies that Botts arrived at his home unannounced and started a verbal dispute. He told deputies that Botts went into his garage and grabbed a can of gasoline. Deputies say at this point, the victim’s story has some consistencies.  but he said that Botts tried to pour gas on him then went into the house and poured gas everywhere.  He stated that Melanie “was actively attempting to burn his house down and he was afraid for his life.” Botts was not on the scene when law enforcement arrived.  Deputies went to her residence, not far from the victim’s home, but she did not answer the door. Just 30 minutes after the attempt to contact, Botts called law enforcement in reference to a different case. She was taken into custody without incident and told deputies she did not want to talk about what happened at the victim’s home. The victim signed a sworn written statement and a willingness to prosecute. He did admit that he and Botts were in a relationship at one point. Botts told deputies that they had dated off and on for three years. This information fits the criteria for a Domestic Disturbance.