Citrus Heights woman pleads ‘no contest’ to setting fire to her home

By Mike Hazlip—
The fire-damaged home of a Citrus Heights woman charged with arson remains unrepaired, as she is left with little options a year later.

Justina Daggett’s home at 7765 Locher Wy. was damaged during a fire that started around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2021, according to a prior report by The Sentinel. Metro Fire described “heavy fire conditions throughout the home,” although no injuries were reported.

A man at the scene who identified himself as Daggett’s boyfriend told a Sentinel reporter the fire was an accident, but Daggett was arrested after Metro Fire declared the incident arson.

The case has trailed through the court system over the past year, but recently concluded on July 27 with Daggett pleading “no contest” to causing a fire to an inhabited structure, according to Sacramento County District Attorney spokeswoman Shelly Orio. She was initially charged with “arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn,” as well as having “intent to willfully and maliciously” use a flammable substance to set fire to or burn any structure.

Daggett was ordered to serve 60 days in the county jail and was given one year of probation.

The home currently appears to remain in the same condition it was in after last year’s fire, and Daggett is living in a damaged vehicle in the driveway unsure of what she will do next.

Daggett would not give specific information to a Sentinel reporter Wednesday when asked about the fire or if she had any plans for the needed repairs. She said permits would be needed, although she would not confirm if she had any income or help to do the work.

“It would take a miracle,” she said when asked what was needed to repair the home.