A Tulare County family is reeling after a violent domestic attack left a South Valley woman hospitalized with severe burns. Authorities say Sheena Hoffman was intentionally doused with gasoline and set on fire by her husband, Sean Hoffman, outside their home near Porterville.
Michael Post, Sheena’s son, said he was at home when he received a frantic call from his sister. “She was like, ‘You need to get to mom’s house now. Your stepdad just covered her in gasoline and said he’s going to light her on fire,’” he recalled.
Tulare County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene on Avenue 120 around 5:30 p.m. Friday. When they arrived, they found Sheena suffering from life-threatening burns to her face, arms, and torso. She was airlifted to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, where she remains in stable condition but faces a long recovery.
Michael said the violence is still difficult to comprehend. “Her home is where everybody goes to. It’s always as if anybody needs anything, they call her. She’s always the one who runs to people’s rescue if they need it,” he said. Deputies arrested Sean Hoffman at the scene. Investigators said he deliberately poured an accelerant on his wife before igniting it.
The couple, who had been married for ten years, share a blended family of seven children. Michael said that while he had never seen his stepfather physically harm his mother, the relationship was often marked by tension. “They did argue often,” he admitted. Experts say domestic violence takes many forms and isn’t always visible.
“There are several forms of domestic violence. It doesn’t always leave bruises; it’s not always physical abuse,” said Ashlee Wolf, Director of Communications for the Marjaree Mason Center, a local organization that supports victims of abuse.
Wolf emphasized the importance of safety and support for anyone who feels threatened by a partner. “If you feel like you could be in danger, we encourage you to call us if you need help with safety planning. Or if you have someone who could help walk you through that process,” she said.
As Sheena continues to recover, her family remains by her side. Loved ones have created a donation page to help cover medical expenses and support her during the long healing process. “This has changed everything,” Michael said. “We’re just focusing on helping her get through this.”