Woman Accused of Flooding Apartment, Causing Thousands in Damage Arrested

JONESBORO, Ark. — A woman was arrested after police say she intentionally flooded her apartment, causing extensive damage estimated in the thousands of dollars.

According to a probable cause affidavit from the Jonesboro Police Department, officers responded on March 14, 2026, to the 2700 block of Curtview Drive regarding a disturbance.

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The victim, identified as the property manager, told officers he had served Lisa Kay Jessen, 59, with an eviction notice earlier that day. He alleged that after receiving the notice, Jessen deliberately flooded the apartment.

When asked to assess the damage, the property manager provided a list estimating repairs would cost around or above $4,000. He also reported finding the eviction notice covered in a cleaning solution and said the oven had been left on its highest setting.

Inside the oven, officers were told there was a skillet containing liquid believed to be the same cleaning solution along with several coins. The top burners were also reportedly soaked with the substance.

The affidavit states that floors throughout the apartment had standing water, including on hard surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. The carpeted living room was also saturated, with water reportedly pooling beneath the surface.

Jessen was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony.

At a bond hearing Monday before Judge Tommy Fowler, bail was set at $15,000 cash or surety. Jessen was combative with jail staff after the judge mispronounced her name, initially refusing to enter the room for court. The judge ordered a mental evaluation.

Jessen returned to court Wednesday before Judge David Boling. She remained combative, though less so, and Boling allowed the original bond to remain in place.

Her next court date is scheduled for April 23, 2026.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.