Docs: Terre Haute man trapped woman in bathroom using fire while her child was in apartment

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Terre Haute man must have no contact with the victims in a case involving felony charges after police said he confined a woman to a bathroom and used gas to light a fire in her residence while her child was also home.

John D. Chandler, 20, of Terre Haute appeared in Vigo County Superior Court on Tuesday. Chandler faces a level 6 felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a level 6 felony charge of confinement, and a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.

The charges stem from the events of July 12 when Chandler reportedly got into an argument with the victim at an apartment in the 900 block of Maple Avenue. A probable cause affidavit filed in the case shows that police said Chandler admitted to using a gas canister to light a pile of clothes on fire just after shoving the victim into the bathroom and closing the door.

The victim reportedly used a trash can inside the bathroom and filled it with water to put the fire out and escape. Police said that the victim’s 3-year-old child was also in the home at the time of the incident.

During a hearing before Judge Christopher Newton on Tuesday, a not-guilty plea was entered on Chandler’s behalf and a public defender was appointed to represent him. Judge Newton then released Chandler on a recognizance bond with orders that he abide by all laws, appear for future court hearings, and have no contact with the victim in the matter.

Chandler must also avoid possessing any firearms, deadly weapons or ammunition as the case goes forward.

A jury trial is scheduled for October 3 with a pretrial conference scheduled for September 19 at 9:30 a.m.

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