Crime & Safety

Ex-Student Admits Starting Fire at St. Elizabeth's

Plainfield resident pleads guilty to charge of attempted criminal mischief.

A former College of St. Elizabeth student pleaded guilty last week to a charge of attempted criminal mischief after police said she set toilet paper rolls on fire Nov. 12 in a dorm bathroom.

Mykia White-Johnson, 18, of Plainfield is expected to be sentenced to probation and community service, the DailyRecord.com reported.

White-Johnson had confessed to starting a fire at O'Connor Hall at the Florham Park school, police Detective Sgt. Christopher Core said last year. 

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At police headquarters, White-Johnson had said she was stressed by her poor academic performance and set the fire with her lighter, according to an arrest affidavit. She had said she did not intend to hurt anyone but indicated it was to act out against the school, the affidavit said.

White-Johnson was initially charged with two counts of arson.

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Authorities said the student is not allowed to return to the college.

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