Man wanted for setting his girlfriend on fire is in custody

By Joe Johnson

An Athens man who was wanted for setting his girlfriend on fire has surrendered.

Police had been searching for Anthony Teres Jones since Monday morning after he set 49-year-old Getrude Willis on fire at their home on Scandia Circle,

He surrendered himself to authorities on Wednesday and was booked into the county jail at 12:41 p.m.

Willis, who suffered burns over her entire body, told police she was getting ready drive Jones to work Monday when he attacked her without warning.

He fled the scene while Willis ran to a neighboring home where a resident put out the fire with an extinguisher.

She remained hospitalized in unknown condition.

Anyone who is in an abusive relationship can seek advice and support services by calling Project Safe's 24-hour hotline at (706) 543-3331, or by visiting http://www.project-safe.org