Man Rubs Special Needs Wife With Alcohol, Lit Cigarette Setting Her On Fire, Waited Days To Help Her

Henry Jacob HardwickPhoto byAlbany, Georgia Police Department

A 64-year-old husband in Albany, Georgia was arrested this week after he allegedly set his special-needs wife on fire inside their home, leaving the woman in pain for two days before finally seeking help.

Henry Jacob Hardwick was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with one count of felony aggravated assault , family violence for the injuries allegedly inflicted on 67-year-old Amanda Jenkins, as per prison records reviewed by Law and Crime.

A press release revealed the Albany, Georgia Police Department officers responded to a call at about 7:39 p.m. on Tuesday concerning a patient being treated for severe burns at Phoebe Putney Hospital, about 160 miles south of Atlanta. Upon arriving, officers learned that emergency medical personnel had picked up Amanda earlier that day from her residence in the 400 block of Bobbitt Drive. Medics said Amanda was unresponsive and suffered burns to about 25% of her lower extremities; as reported by Law and Crime.

Police responded to the Bobbitt Drive home, where they contacted Hardwick. Questioned by police, Hardwick allegedly responded that he was rubbing alcohol on his wife because she was in a great deal of pain “from her condition of multiple sclerosis (MS)” two days prior. While applying the alcohol to his wife’s skin, “he lit a cigarette too close to her, causing her body to catch fire,” police said Hardwick told investigators. Instead of immediately seeking help, Hardwick allegedly told police he “panicked” and was too “scared to call for help.” Hardwick waited two days before calling Jenkins’ daughter, who came to their home, saw that her mother was “in need of severe treatment” and called 911, authorities said; as reported by Law and Crime.

Due to the severity of Amanda's injuries, it was recommended for Amanda to be taken to the Augusta Burn Unit for specialized treatment. Hardwick was booked into the Dougherty County Jail without bond on Wednesday, records show. Authorities said Hardwick is expected to be charged with additional criminal offenses and requested that anyone with information contact Crime Stoppers at 229-436-TIPS or an investigator at 229-854-0103; as reported by Law and Crime.