Tonnette Felicia Wilson, 54, was released on two years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to the attempted arson of her Loch Raven home last spring.
During the Feb. 10 hearing, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant agreed to a plea bargain negotiated between the prosecution and Wilson’s attorney, Brandon Thornton, sentencing the defendant to three years, suspending all but time already served.
Per the terms of the deal, Wilson’s remaining charges, which included multiple counts of attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment, were dismissed. Charging documents state the defendant attempted to set fire to her home on the 1800 block of E. Belvedere Avenue following a dispute that occurred at the property on May 8, 2025.
Wilson’s daughter had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction that Wilson ate food that belonged to her, leading to an argument that resulted in Wilson dousing the basement stairs in torch fuel and lighting them on fire. Wilson’s daughter, her daughter’s boyfriend and her two-year old granddaughter were at the bottom of the basement staircase.
While attempting to escape, her daughter’s boyfriend slipped and injured his right ankle. He reportedly denied transportation to a hospital when emergency responders arrived on scene later that evening.
Wilson was detained and initially transported to the Northeast District, but upon expressing suicidal ideations, she was transported to Union Memorial Hospital and admitted under an emergency mental evaluation petition. She was released approximately two months later on July 11, 2025, and rearrested to serve nine months and two days without bail.
In accepting the plea bargain, Wilson maintained her innocence, admitting she took the offer because she believed it to be in her best interest. If declared guilty by jury trial, Wilson may have faced up to 30 years in prison. To Judge Bryant, she claimed she and her daughter had resolved their dispute.
“Me and my daughter settled things,” she told the court. “She tried to take over my house doing things she not supposed to. We been settled things in May.”
Thornton also addressed Judge Bryant on behalf of Wilson, stating she “plans to reseek treatment.” Wilson echoed the statement, noting she was “appalled” to be incarcerated at the age of 54, and promised to take efforts to move forward.
“Once I get therapy, I can go back to work,” she said.
