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Fond du Lac Native set on fire in Kansas hospital incident

Posted at 5:37 PM, Sep 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-15 22:45:57-04
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - A civilian hospital employee has been charged after setting his supervisor on fire at Fort Leavenworth in an effort to kill her, acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a news release.
 
Clifford Currie, 54, was charged with one count of assault with intent to commit murder.
The victim, Katie Blanchard, is originally from Fond du Lac
 
A criminal complaint alleges Currie threw gasoline or some other flammable liquid on Blanchard, lit her on fire and assaulted her with a straight edge razor. Another hospital worker came to the Blanchard's aid. The criminal complaint says that woman was injured trying to stop Currie.
 
Currie was subdued by hospital employees and arrested.
According to the news release from the acting U.S. attorney, if convicted, Currie faces a penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
 
A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family with a goal of $10,000. The site was closed after raising more than $43,800. Blanchard's family is asking anyone who wishes to help to make a donation to burn research centers or survivor networks including Shriners.