Alizandria Alverio, 42, of Sellersville (Credit: Perkasie Borough Police)
A Sellersville woman pleaded guilty to three felony arson charges in Bucks County Mental Health/Wellness Court last month, but avoids any serious jail time.
Alizandria Alverio, 42, pleaded guilty April 23 to arson-reckless burning of an uninhabited structure, arson-reckless burning of an automobile, and risking catastrophe, as well as misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and recklessly endangering another person, and summary charges of criminal mischief, dangerous burning, and violation of a burn ban, according to court records.
As part of the court order, Alverio must comply with bail general rules, regulations and conditions governing probation/parole for Wellness Court, pay $5 a week in supervision fees, take medication as prescribed, undergo mental health treatment, and attend and participate in mental health appointments, according to court documents.
According to Bucks County's website, the mental health court can help reduce the time offenders with mental illness spend in jail, improve public safety by reducing recidivism and lead to quality of life improvements.
The mission of the Bucks County Mental Health Court is to develop a partnership between the mental health and criminal justice systems by addressing the specialized needs of individuals with serious mental illness diagnosis. Individuals must abide by mandatory, comprehensive, community-based treatment and services within the guidelines of the Mental Health Court.
Alverio was taken into custody on Jan. 2, 2025 by Perkasie Borough Police on a warrant issued for her alleged role in the fire that destroyed a car and shed.
Police said the Nov. 1, 2024 fire occurred on Maple Avenue in the borough, where a blaze spread to nearby brush, an unoccupied car, and a shed. Perkasie Police and Sellersville Fire Department responded to the scene to put out the blaze.
An arrest warrant for Alverio was issued on Dec. 23, police said.
Last April, Alverio was reported missing by her family.
The Bucks County Wellness Court serves two populations: Probation/parole violators and post-plea, pre-sentence offenders, according to its website.
The length of participation in Wellness Court is expected to be between 15 and 24 months, but individuals will have up to five years to complete, according to its website.
The Court consists of five phases, including a transition phase, with Phase 1 beginning with weekly appointments with a probation officer and weekly court appearances. Phase 1 also includes an introductory period of time to allow participants to adjust to the requirements of the Court, according to the website.
The introductory period of Phase 1 is 45 days in length and counts toward time in Phase 1. The duration of Phase 1 is a minimum of two months, followed by Phase 2 at a 3-month minimum, then Phase 3 at a four-month minimum, then Phase 4 at a 3-month minimum, and finally a fifth and final transition phase at a duration of a minimum of three months, according to the website.
After the minimum phase duration, participants who have met the standards of the phase requirements and demonstrated consistent compliance with their treatment and goal plans will be promoted to the next phase.
With each successive phase, participants are monitored less frequently and less intensively if they continue to be in compliance with their treatment and goal plans, according to the website.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
