Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Student charged with attempted murder after 'putting bleach in pregnant girlfriend's water'

Theophilous Washington is being held on 1$m bail

Andrew Buncombe
New York
Monday 31 October 2016 13:24 GMT
Comments
Theophilous Washington is being held on 1$m bail
Theophilous Washington is being held on 1$m bail (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A student has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly putting bleach in the drinking water of his pregnant girlfriend in an apparent attempt to harm her foetus.

Theophilous Washington, 20, of Washington DC, is a student at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. Officials said he had been charged with attempt to commit first-degree murder of an unborn child as well as reckless endangerment.

“The charges are twisted and the intended result nothing short of horrifying,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said last week.

The university called it 'a horrible, unconscionable event' (Millersville University )
The university called it 'a horrible, unconscionable event' (Millersville University ) (Millersville University)

NBC reported that the prosecutors' office said Mr Washington and his girlfriend were at home last Friday morning when he suggested she drink some water from the refrigerator. The woman did so, but after she returned to her on-campus room, she felt a burning sensation in her throat. She vomited and called 911.

Prosecutors said police interviewed Mr Washington and they alleged that he acknowledged having put bleach in a water bottle.

“Washington, the father of the child, admitted to putting bleach in the water bottle,” prosecutors said. “He had stated previously that he did not want the female to have the child.”

A doctor examined the woman and said both she and her approximately two-month-old foetus appeared unharmed, the district attorney’s office said.

Brian Hazlett, Millersville University’s vice president of student affairs, called it “a horrible, unconscionable event”.

“It is very disturbing to me personally because I consider our students to be our family,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and we're doing everything we can to make sure she is O.K.”

Washington remains in custody on $1 million bail pending a November 4 preliminary hearing.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in