Police say Lynnette McGuire, 32, and her cousin Denise Coyle, 34, torched a home on Lafayette Court the evening of Dec. 10.
WASHINGTON TWP. -- Two women have been indicted for allegedly torching a house and attempting to kidnap a small child, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.
Police say Lynnette McGuire, 32, and her cousin Denise Coyle, 34, both of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, torched a home on Lafayette Court the evening of Dec. 10.
Firefighters were called to the house shortly after 8:30 p.m. that night. Investigators charged the pair with setting the house ablaze in hopes of kidnapping McGuire's three-year-old daughter, who was living with her grandparents and her three siblings. Two adults and four children were forced out of the home.
The homeowners, Jeanette and Brian McGuire, said at the time that although they were "shocked," they were grateful that everyone made it out alive. A pet turtle died in the fire, however.
McGuire and Coyle were held in jail on $100,000 bail. They are charged with arson and related charges, along with burglary and attempted kidnapping.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.