Arabi woman hospitalized with smoke inhalation after her son set fire to their home; He is jailed, booked with attempted murder and aggravated arson

James Andrews, arrested for aggravated arson and attempted murder.

An Arabi woman was hospitalized with smoke inhalation on Thursday, April 30, after her son set fire to their home and he is jailed, booked with attempted murder and aggravated arson, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Jomeca Hawkins, 35, 228 Coney Drive, suffered smoke inhalation in the fire that started about 11 a.m. Hawkins was outside her home and initially unresponsive when sheriff’s deputies and firefighters arrived as she was being helped by a neighbor.

After emergency technicians and Fire Department personnel gave her aid she said her son, Joseph Andrews, 19, who she said has a bipolar disorder, had tried to kill her by setting the fire while she was inside their home. The mother was transported to St. Bernard Parish Hospital.

On Thursday evening she was transferred to a Baton Rouge Hospital.

Sheriff’s deputies found Andrews on foot several blocks away and recovered two knives on him, Sheriff Pohlmann said. He wasn’t injured.

Officials said the blaze, which caused damage to the house, appeared to have been intentionally set.

Andrews was taken to St. Bernard Parish Prison where he was booked with attempted murder of his mother and aggravated arson. He will appear before a magistrate judge Friday to have bond set.

Andrews is being held in lieu of bond set Friday at $250,000.

The sheriff said Andrews has a criminal history including a prior drug arrest.