FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A woman was arrested Monday after authorities said she started a fire inside a Fort Lauderdale hospital.
An arrest report stated a police officer was working at Broward Health Imperial Point, located at 6401 North Federal Hwy., when he received a call regarding an arson incident that occurred in the hospital’s Emergency Behavioral Health Unit.
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According to the hospital’s director, approximately one hour earlier, Naika Jean, 28, was informed by the hospital’s psychologist that she was being discharged from the unit.
Subsequently, Jean entered the changing area to switch from hospital attire to personal clothing and was escorted out of the unit by security.
A few minutes later, police said hospital staff members detected smoke emanating from the changing area, discovering that Jean had intentionally ignited her personal belongings, including a paper bag and hospital socks, with a disposable lighter.
Staff swiftly extinguished the fire as it began to spread, resulting in damage and burn marks on the changing bench. The unit was occupied by other patients and staff at the time of the incident, the report stated.
Authorities confirmed no one had entered the changing area where Jean initially started the fire.
At approximately 3:40 a.m., Florida Highway Patrol brought her under a Baker Act, prompting notification of the incident, police said.
The hospital’s psychologist discharged Jean again, and the hospital’s security director expressed the hospital’s desire to pursue prosecution for arson, according to the report.
Both the EMT and security personnel identified Jean as the individual who entered the changing area and started the fire, investigators said.
Jail records show Jean was taken into custody and transported to the North Broward Bureau, where she is being held without bond and is facing one count of first-degree arson of an occupied dwelling.
