BEDFORD – A Bedford woman is facing felony arson charges following an investigation by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) into a series of suspicious fires at a residence on 12th Street.
Emily Brown, 24, of Bedford, has been tied to at least four incendiary fires at her home located in the 2000 block of 12th Street, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by IDHS Investigator Michael Hansford.
The investigation was triggered by a structure fire reported on December 17, 2025, at approximately 11:18 p.m. The male homeowner alerted authorities after smelling smoke and discovering it billowing from a floor vent connected to the basement.
Upon a systematic examination of the scene, Investigator Hansford determined the fire originated in the basement under a stairwell. No natural or accidental ignition sources were found in the area. The cause was officially ruled as intentionally set using an open-flame device on ordinary combustible items.
As investigators delved into the history of the property, a disturbing pattern emerged. Records from the Bedford Fire Department revealed four emergency responses to the same address for structure fires since 2021—all occurring while Emily Brown was a resident.
| Date of Incident | Preliminary Charge |
| May 12, 2021 | Criminal Mischief (Class B Misdemeanor) |
| August 23, 2022 | Arson (Level 4 Felony) |
| April 14, 2025 | Criminal Mischief (Class B Misdemeanor) |
| December 17, 2025 | Arson (Level 4 Felony) |
The homeowner further disclosed a fifth, unreported fire in the spring of 2022 that he managed to extinguish himself. He noted that Emily was the only individual present during every single incident.
While Emily initially told investigators she was asleep at 8:00 p.m. on the night of the latest fire, home security footage told a different story. The video captured her walking through the house near the basement stairwell at 10:57 p.m., just minutes before the fire was discovered.
Additionally, a witness contradicted Emily’s timeline, stating she was awake and in the front room later than she had claimed. These discrepancies led the homeowner to express concerns to investigators that his daughter was “trying to kill him.”
During an interview at the Bedford Police Department on December 31, Emily Brown spoke about herself in the third person, repeatedly stating, “Emily wouldn’t do it.”
However, she reportedly told investigators that she feels like “someone else” takes over her body when she gets into arguments or has “bad days.” She admitted that while “she” wouldn’t set fires, the other person in her head might have, stating she doesn’t remember the events when this happens.
Based on the geographical cluster of the fires, the temporal frequency, and the defendant’s own statements, Investigator Hansford filed for probable cause on January 7, 2026. Brown is currently facing multiple counts, including Level 4 Felony Arson.
In Indiana, a Level 4 Felony carries a sentencing range of two to 12 years in prison.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
