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Clearwater woman accused of setting boyfriend on fire

 
Melissa Dawn Sellers, 33, faces an attempted murder charge. [Clearwater Police Department]
Melissa Dawn Sellers, 33, faces an attempted murder charge. [Clearwater Police Department]
Published Oct. 23, 2014

CLEARWATER — Melissa Dawn Sellers was arguing with her boyfriend early Wednesday, police said, when she soaked him in nail polish remover and set him on fire with either a lighter or a lit cigarette.

Carlos Ortiz Jr., 42, was later taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was in critical condition Wednesday morning with burns to his face, chest and shoulders, police said.

Sellers, 33, faces an aggravated battery charge in the incident, which police said happened at 310 Gunn Ave. about 2:30 a.m. Initially, police said she was charged with attempted murder, but they later amended that statement.

Authorities said Sellers initially left the scene and went to her stepfather's house nearby, but later returned and was being questioned.