Indiana Family Charged With Arson, Fraud

An Indiana mother and daughter have been charged with arson and fraud after family members told police they intentionally set their house on fire to collect insurance money.

Police tell The Indianapolis Star that 53-year-old Deborah Willison and 35-year-old Lanna Brown had previously talked about burning down their Danville home before the fire broke out July 11. Brown’s 17-year-old daughter also told police the pair transported valuables to a storage unit weeks before the fire.

Police say Willison and Brown initially said they were out of town on the night of the fire. Police say Brown later admitted that she drove her mother to the house and waited down the street.

Willison faces two counts of arson and one count of insurance fraud. Brown is charged with two counts of aid and abet, as well as conspiracy to commit arson to defraud.

Messages seeking comment were left with Willison and Brown’s attorneys Thursday.