Son charged with murder in mom's fire death

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A year after an elderly woman died from injuries received in a fire at a home, Peachtree City Police have arrested and charged her son with murder.

Scott David Dahlman, 41, of Peachtree City, was arrested Dec. 10 by Peachtree City Police. He is charged with malice murder, arson in the first degree, felony murder (arson first degree) felony murder (aggravated assault) and aggravated assault in the death of his mother, 71-year-old Francis Dahlman.

On August 31, 2008, police were dispatched to a home in the 400 black of Abrell Woods Court at about 5:30 a.m.

On arrival, officers were informed that an elderly woman was in the basement area of the home and had suffered burns. She was found on a burnt recliner and airlifted to Grady Hospital where she died.

Dahlman is currently being held at the Fayette County Jail and awaiting his first court appearance.

Earlier this month Dahlman's wife, Valerie, was also charged with setting the fire that killed her mother-in-law.

She was charged with murder and first-degree arson and denied bond by a Fayette County Magistrate judge.

Valerie Dahlman is scheduled to return to court Thursday for a bond hearing.

Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510 or the Crime and Narcotics Information Hotline at 770-487-6010.