Clay County man turns himself in after trying to set wife on fire, authorities say

A Clay County man is accused of throwing rubbing alcohol on his wife and trying to set her on fire during an altercation, a police report says.

Ryan Fitz turned himself in at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office earlier this week for the incident that happened last month.

According to the police report, the responding deputy was called to the home in Keystone Heights and found Fitz’s wife covered in rubbing alcohol.

She told authorities that Fitz tried to light her on fire with a lighter, but was unsuccessful. She also told the deputy that her husband had punched her several times.

Fitz is facing several charges including aggravated assault, domestic battery and child abuse.

Peggy Payne, the CEO of Quigley House, an emergency shelter in Clay County, said she sees far too many violent reports like this cross her desk.

"Quigley House sees a lot of things that most of us can't imagine someone doing that to someone you say you love so much," Payne said.

Payne has worked with abused women for decades, and said reports like this can be reminders of why places like Quigley house exist, with services that are always available.

"They can call the operator and asked to be connected to our shelter and our crisis line. We're open 24/7 and we don't charge victims for anything," Payne said.

Payne also said there are many cases where children try to get involved to help when abuse in the home is escalating.

“You look at the kids that are in the department of justice, (they) are there because they were either protecting their mother from domestic violence or they were protecting themselves,” Payne said.

As for the child abuse charge in this case, Fitz is accused of throwing a wooden stool at a child in the home who tried to break up the incident, hitting him in the stomach.

Fitz’s bond was set at $10,000 and, according to public records, he hasn’t been released.

Cox Media Group