Woman denies plot to kill ex for child custody

APOLLO, Pa. (AP) — A southwestern Pennsylvania woman denies any plot to hire a hit man to kill her ex-boyfriend so she could take custody of their child.

Before a preliminary hearing Monday, 41-year-old Charlene Marie Hughes proclaimed her innocence saying she said the wrong things to the wrong people while drunk.

State police say they captured Hughes in an undercover sting. They say she told a trooper she wanted her ex-boyfriend’s house burned down with him inside so she could take custody of their infant son.

Police say Hughes said she could give a deposit for the hit after she received a child support payment.

Defense attorney Patrick Thomassey says the case in an overreaction to a tense custody battle.

Hughes faces charges of solicitation to commit murder and arson. She is being held on $150,000 bail.