Ohio mother denies setting home on fire with kids inside

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio woman accused of trying to frame her estranged husband by setting a house fire that trapped her and her children has pleaded not guilty to arson and other charges.

The Columbus Dispatch reports 39-year-old Amy Wilson denied two counts each of aggravated arson and arson today in addition to charges of tampering with records and insurance fraud.

Police say Wilson admitted to detectives that she set fire to her Newark home and then manipulated text messages to make it appear that her estranged husband was to blame. Prosecutors say Wilson was attempting to gain full custody of her three daughters.

Emergency responders rescued Wilson and her children from an upstairs bedroom during the Feb. 12 blaze.