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Franklin Faircloth (Sampson County Sheriff’s Office).
A woman from North Carolina is in critical condition after a horrific incident in which her boyfriend allegedly attempted to kill her by setting her on fire. Authorities report that the 36-year-old victim suffered severe burns to her arms, legs, chest, and back while trapped inside a locked house.
Franklin Faircloth, a 29-year-old resident of Roseboro, faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, assault causing serious bodily injury, and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence related to the April 12 attack.
The victim is currently being treated at a trauma center with burns covering nearly two-thirds of her body. Her family has informed the local ABC affiliate, WTVD, that her condition is grave. The Sampson County District Attorney’s Office has stated that should she succumb to her injuries, Faircloth will be charged with first-degree murder.
Although the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim, her family has requested that her name remain confidential, a request that has been honored by Law&Crime.
“Someone tried to kill my sister last night,” the victim’s sibling shared in an emotional Facebook post. “She was doused in gasoline, set on fire, and locked in a building.”
The victim told police that Faircloth allegedly “forced his way into her home and doused her in gasoline, then set her on fire,” before fleeing on a bicycle. He also allegedly set the victim’s home on fire.
“The defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did maliciously burn the dwelling house inhabited by [the victim],” an arrest warrant says. “At the time of the burning, [the victim] was in the dwelling house.”
The warrant alleges that Faircloth set “both arms, legs, chest, and back” of the victim on fire. He was arrested on April 13 and appeared in court Thursday in Sampson County, where he was denied bond.
“We have also experienced such a roller coaster of emotions,” the sister said on Facebook. “We were in court when her attacker was denied bond. That alone has given us so much comfort. We’ve spent so much time in the hospital I struggle to remember what day it is.”
Numerous friends and relatives have been posting messages showing support for the victim in the wake of what happened. One person wrote, “Babygirl keep fighting and come home to us!!!”
Another person said, “I just can’t get [the victim] off of my mind. Just thinking about what she had to endure, hurts my heart. I met her through my job … She has always been so sweet and respectful to me. Please, pray for her.”
Faircloth is due to appear in court again on May 8.