A Mississippi woman has been handed a 20-year prison sentence for a brutal attack on her ex-boyfriend, which resulted in him suffering severe third-degree burns.

Kalena Stubbs, aged 51, admitted her guilt to one charge of aggravated assault against her former partner. The announcement was made by Madison County District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett in a news release on December 3.

The sentencing was carried out by a Madison County Circuit Court judge, who imposed the maximum penalty permitted for aggravated assault under Mississippi law, totaling 20 years in prison.

“The injuries the victim sustained were truly horrific, ranking among the worst we’ve encountered,” stated District Attorney Bramlett in his official remarks.

According to the news release, law enforcement officials responded to a 911 call on January 16, requesting medical help for a burn victim. Upon their arrival at the victim’s residence, officers found him with extensive burns covering his torso, upper arms, and face, although his clothing remained intact.

During subsequent investigations, Stubbs claimed that she had changed her boyfriend’s clothes before calling 911. She alleged that he accidentally “fell into the fireplace while holding a bottle of lighter fluid.” Nevertheless, authorities noted that the lighter fluid bottle found at the scene did not appear to have been exposed to an open flame.

The victim’s injuries were so severe that prevented him from being able to talk and therefore clarify what had happened, Bramlett said. He spent months recovering in multiple burn units and care facilities before he was able to tell his story.

“When he finally regained his ability to speak, he indicated that Stubbs had doused him with lighter fluid and set him on fire while they were arguing,” the DA’s release shared, noting that this story was consistent with the burn patterns he’d suffered from.

Stubbs was ultimately arrested on July 22 and booked for attempted murder and aggravated assault, per Madison County Detention Center records.

“I know that his injuries will affect him for the rest of his life, and we hope that this sentence gives him some sense that justice has been done,” Bramlett shared.