Woman Arrested for Attempted Arson of a DHS Building

Gresham Police say Marlene Chenette was arrested last night in Vancouver, Washington.

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - Police arrested a woman they believe is connected to a "Molotov Cocktail" style arson attempt on a DHS building. Authorities say Marlene Chenette say became angry with the Department of Human Services over losing her parental rights, and tried to burn the DHS building down in Gresham two years ago.

Officers who responded to the initial report on November 24th 2005, say they were dispatched to what appeared to be a broken window at the Gresham DHS building, 335 NW Division.

Since it did not appear that anybody had made entry and there were no responders available, police employees failed to look inside the building and instead boarded up the window. But the next day debris was discovered inside the building that indicated someone had actually tried to set it on fire.

That is when police began looking for both Chenette and a man described as an accomplice, 32-year old Christopher Coopersmith, who was arrested March 26th 2008.

Sgt. Claudio Grandjean with Gresham Police says Marlene Chenette was arrested last night in Vancouver, Washington on her many warrants.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

bison March 4, 2010 12:52 am (Pacific time)

hope Marlene gets help for her mental illness, and some day can visit her kids Beware of DHS

2HappyKids April 14, 2008 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

It was written by a adult who is very close to Ms. Chenette's children.

children first April 14, 2008 4:23 am (Pacific time)

There has been so much talk about Marlene, but what about her children. They are the ones that are the most important people. There is a part of me that feels sorry for Marlene because of the way she grew up, but part of me does not feel sorry for her because she had many many opportunities to get her life together. Unfortunately her life of crime has taken front seat to her children. That is so sad for the children. But they are with a family who loves and takes very good care of them. Those children have consistency in their lives. What is more important. In my opinion children should always come first. NO MATTER WHAT.

Sam Mcarthy April 13, 2008 4:55 am (Pacific time)

I do not know this girl, but it's apparent she needs some help. I do know the man mentioned in the article and he has been troubled since Junior High School. These two are perfect examples of individuals who abuse drugs and have no respect for authority, property or human life. They both need to be locked up for a couple years and attend a serious drug treatment program.

2HappyKids April 11, 2008 9:30 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Aunt Sue,I am not sure if I have ever met you , but you say your my aunt.Let me tell you I am a happy boy. I do well in school and in sports. My sister does very well herself. My adoptive parents have always let our bio families see us . Why have you never made arrangements for us to see you if you cared so much? Why has my mom not gotten herself in a place so we could see her? And don't tell me it is my adoptive parents fault. I hear the news and I hear the answering machine that says she is in and out of jail all the time.We know our mother and love her and can't wait for the time she puts us first.So from now on if you could keep me and my sister out of your blog that would make me happy. And please remember there are two children involved here and someday we will hear and know all that has taken place and all of you may be shocked to learn we are happy , well taken care of, and most importantly put first and loved by our adoptive family.

Editor's note: This comment and all others are submitted with no requirement to enter personal information. So, that means that unless a person takes the time to state a real name, for example, and/or other data that corroborates that they are who they say they are, we have no way of knowing. This appears to be very well written for a small child.

Salem-News Editor April 11, 2008 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

Editor to Troy: I don't recall canning any of your comments. Yes we reserve the right to do that and we don't make apologies for controlling what is placed here. It is surprising how foul people can be, and if it doesn't fit it flies. But unless yours had profanity or was particularly offensive, it would have been posted. I will check our spam file in case it ended up there.

dewey April 11, 2008 6:53 pm (Pacific time)

Evidently Marlene has more than the three kids that I know because the ones I know are in a safe home and loving family that have NOT seen her, nor need to, in years.

Troy April 11, 2008 9:04 am (Pacific time)

I have posted two comments here....why have this available if you pick and choose who and what you want posted?? Makes no sense to me...

Troy April 11, 2008 8:56 am (Pacific time)

I believe in the Truth...the WHOLE TRUTH...and NOTHING but the TRUTH. Deputy Dewey does not speak the truth.

Troy April 11, 2008 8:24 am (Pacific time)

The bigger they are, the harder they fall...
Like an unwavering tower, I shall stand tall.
Truly "My Brothers Keeper" and steadfast in times of need...
I will not flinch in the face of fear, surrender to lust and greed.

My heart is pure, unselfish, and long...
My Lady's hand may be soft to the touch, but like my knights, they are just as strong.

History, blood and tears deeply root me to my name...
I strive to find and follow the path of my ancestors free of guilt or shame.

I am a Mother, a daughter, confidante, sister and true friend...
Who shall weather the most vicious storm, beginning to end.

Don't mistake what I know as kind, being interpreted as weak...
It's Love, not pain, in which my heart does seek.

But prepared I am to enter battle, should I be called upon...
As much a part of Gods green earth, as waters to the Swan.

Gifted by Marlene Y Chenette... (it's French;))

I believe the heart and soul of this good friend who I feel blessed to have as a friend...to be a beautiful, powerful, true to her spirit person I appreciate in my life.....Wronged by the Deceptions of DHS Child Services Division who offers help...and replaced the empty promises with nightmares come true...through the supposed "legal" kidnapping of her children...FREEDOM??? B.S!!! ITS ALL A BIG, DECEPTIVE, PUTRID, DISHONEST, BETRAYING LIE, LIE, LIE!!! Who will stand?? Who will speak?? Who is not a coward that will be forced to keep quite?? ALL YOU NEED TO SAY IS ......"ME"....AND THEN LIVE IT. If we don't stand for each other...then what is the foundation and heart of this life, and country anymore...thieves..liars..greed monsters..filth spreaders..take take take takers...stealing kids from family's...stealing country's from people...killing family's for greed...MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE ALL OVER THE CONSTITUTION...IT DOES US NOOOOOO GOOD....ITS JUST HISTORY NOW. If I am wrong...I ask you to prove it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I speak the TRUTH!!!....THE WHOLE TRUTH!!!...AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!!!something most people I think believe only existed in some old long gone fairy tale....sad and sick isn't it!?!?but too real to ignore. Stand up...don't coward down...who are we and what do we stand for as a person...nation...race...species??...I dare not say anymore.

Sue Chenette April 10, 2008 4:24 am (Pacific time)

As Marlene's Aunt, and in response to "DEWEY's comments" I can honestly say that I have NEVER seen her under the influence of any drug including alcohol, and we've known her since birth. She loves her children VERY much, and people shouldn't judge her who do not know all the facts. As for the children being in a loving family, well I still have on my computer, pictures of the terrible beating that Marlene received from the loving family member that now has the kids. Marlene was trying to see her kids in Washington county when that loving family member came home drunk from the bar and beat her severly. The coward also had his brother beat her and choke her, breaking the skin on her neck and leaving terrible bruises, a black eye, bruised ears and lips. We tried to get her to put that loving family member and his brother in jail where they belong but she didn't follow through. "Dewey" should get ALL the facts before defending up for woman beaters! This is where DHS put her children, in a violent, alcoholic household!

dewey April 9, 2008 9:25 am (Pacific time)

I know this Mom and her children very well and they were justifiably removed from her care. I am very sad at Marlene's condition and my heart breaks that she is so deep into drugs. Her children are in a loving family now and will grow to be responsible adults - I plan to be there for them always.

isuggest April 8, 2008 10:23 am (Pacific time)

I suggest that this woman be charged with a newly invented criminal offense which I will call "justifiable attempted arson upon a structure with lack of consideration for the possible consequenses to human beings" The sentencing guidelines for such an offense will include some measure of treatment which addresses the (likely justified) root cause of the behavior. Certainly such behavior cannot be tolerated - and yet - we should also consider the fact that DHS often commits the crimes of kidnapping and criminally negligent homicide. If this woman's children were unjustifiably snatched and farmed out (as many are), then it is not too surprising that she (allegedly) acted in this irrational and unacceptable manner. Of course, most of the victims (and subsequently, the children of these victims) will go on to act in self destructive ways (abuse of drugs and alcohol) - so society usually doesn't have to be aware of their suffering nor would we have to deal with it in any responsible way.

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Woman Arrested for Attempted Arson of a DHS Building

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