A mother was swiftly taken to the hospital and put into a medically induced coma following allegations that she was soaked in gasoline and then set on fire.
Authorities in Tulare County received a distress call from a residence in Porterville at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman with severe burns on her face, arms, and torso. She was airlifted to the burn unit at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, where she is currently in stable condition but faces a challenging path to recovery.
Sean Hoffman, aged 42, stands accused of deliberately dousing the victim with a highly flammable substance and igniting it, as reported by KFSN. He was apprehended at the scene without incident.
The victim, identified as Sheena, Sean’s wife, by her son in a GoFundMe campaign, is undergoing treatment at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital’s burn unit. The son expressed hope for financial assistance to cover his mother’s expenses during her recovery from what he described as a “horrific domestic violence incident.”
In an interview with KSEE, the son disclosed that his mother is in a medically induced coma and has sustained burns on 25% of her body.
A spokesperson from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office stated that upon their arrival, deputies found the woman with severe burns on her face, arms, and torso. Investigations revealed that Sean Hofmann had deliberately poured a highly flammable substance on or near the victim, resulting in her catching on fire.
According to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, Hofmann faces charges of attempted murder, torture, mayhem, arson causing serious bodily harm, and domestic violence. Additional enhancements include special allegations related to the violent nature of the crimes, causing injuries, using a deadly weapon, and allegedly committing the offenses while out on bail.
Hofmann pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, as reported by KFSN.
For those willing to contribute, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Sheena’s recovery journey.
If you are in need of assistance or someone to talk to, the Samaritans offer a free helpline that operates 24/7 at 116 123. You can also reach out via email at jo@samaritans.org or visit their website for local support options.