Caretaker, neighbor accused of setting Oregon woman on fire

BEAVERTON, Ore. – Official say two northern Oregon women are facing several charges including murder after they were suspected of setting a woman on fire days before Christmas.

The Oregonian reported that 55-year-old Maria Meisner and 63-year-old Celia Schwab were indicted last week in the death of 74-year-old Kathryn Breen. Meisner is accused of aggravated murder and Schwab is accused of criminal mistreatment. Both women are also facing murder, arson and assault charges.

Police say Schwab was Breen’s unlicensed live-in caretaker and Meisner lived next door to Breen in Beaverton, a city west of Portland.

Schwab was arrested Dec. 23, the same day as the fire, while Meisner was arrested a few days later. Breen was treated second- and third-degree burns but died in the hospital Dec. 24.

The two women have pleaded not guilty.