Tennessee Police Confront Disturbing Claims in Mother Fire Incident

A Tennessee man is accused of setting his mother's home on fire early Thursday morning.

Dustin Tayler Machen, 32, was arrested by Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies on charges including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson.

"Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested Dustin Tayler Machen, 32, after he set a person and a residence on fire early Thursday morning," said the Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies in a Facebook post.

According to an April 10, 2026, report from the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Jonesborough, Tennessee, deputies responded to an arson call at 446 S. Pickens Bridge Road on the morning of April 9 and found the home engulfed in flames.

The victim told deputies her son allegedly poured gasoline on her and the home as she attempted to leave. She also alleged that Machen destroyed her cellphone to prevent her from calling 911.

She escaped the home and went to a neighbor's house to call the authorities.

According to News Channel 11, Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said the victim was in the process of evicting her son.

"At which time he left the residence, came back with a container of gasoline, allegedly pouring it on the victim and the home," he added.

The victim suffered burns to her arms and was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Sheriff also reported that deputies found Machen in a nearby field, where he was "just watching the fire."

According to the WCSO, Machen was later located nearby and was taken into custody. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, and interference with a 911 call.

"Machen was transported to the Washington County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond," the aforementioned Facebook post added.

"Deputies happened to see him. We had deployed a drone, which located a backpack that had some of his personal items and other things in there, but he was out in the field just watching the fire," Sexton said.

Authorities said Machen has prior domestic violence charges involving his mother.

Meanwhile, the post's comment section included messages wishing the victim a speedy recovery.

"I pray his mother will be alright," wrote one Facebook user.

"Praying for this woman and for justice," another user stated.

"That is a brutal act. That is a dangerous person that will throw gas on someone and try to light them off not including the house fire. Hopefully you can get a solid conviction on this guy so he never sees the light of day again," a third user commented, while another said, "How sad …. His poor Mama !! He’s mentally ill or just evil or both !! Prayers that she recovers & soon !!"

According to WCYB, Machen's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 23, 2026, and his bond is set at $2 million.