A 20-year-old man is charged with deliberately putting bleach in his pregnant girlfriend’s water in an attempt to harm the unborn child.
Theophilous Washington, a Millersville University junior from Washington D.C., is charged with a felony count of attempted murder of an unborn child and misdemeanor reckless endangerment.
Washington was arraigned Friday evening. He is at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail.
Millersville University police Deputy Chief Howard Bauman filed charges late Friday afternoon, with consultation from First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen and Assistant District Attorney Andrew LeFever.
“The charges are twisted and the intended result nothing short of horrifying,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said on Friday.
A doctor examined the female victim, approximately 2-months’ pregnant, and the unborn baby. Both are believed to be physically unharmed.
Washington and the female were hanging out at Washington’s room Thursday night into Friday morning. As the female was leaving, Washington suggested she have a water from his refrigerator.
The female drank the water when she returned to her on-campus room and felt a burning sensation in her throat. She vomited then called 911. Police responded.
Both Washington and the female victim provided statements to police.
Washington admitted to putting bleach in the water bottle. He had stated previously that he did not want the female to have the child.
Millersville University officials said Friday there was never any threat to the safety of other students.
“This was a horrible, unconscionable event,” said Brian Hazlett, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Millersville University. “It is very disturbing to me personally because I consider our students to be our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and we’re doing everything we can to make sure she is okay. At no time was anyone else on campus at risk. Because this was a totally isolated incident that did not impact anyone else on campus, a Timely Warning and our MU Alert system were not warranted.”
A preliminary hearing will be scheduled for a date in the coming weeks.
“There is no greater call in law enforcement than to protect the most vulnerable among us and there are none more vulnerable than the unborn,” Stedman said.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed.
Washington is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us;
Twitter: @BrettHambright