October 29, 2016
A Millersville University student is facing a felony charge after he allegedly attempted to harm his pregnant girlfriend's unborn baby by putting bleach in her water.
Theophilous Washington, 20 of Washington D.C. and a junior at the school, is being charged with attempted murder of an unborn child and reckless endangerment. Washington was arraigned Friday and his bail was set at $1 million, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.
Police said that Washington was hanging out with his girlfriend, who is two months pregnant, in his room Friday morning when he told her that she should have some water kept in his fridge before leaving.
The woman, who isn't being named, felt a "burning sensation" in her throat and later vomited before calling police.
Washington, who allegedly did not want his girlfriend to have their child, confessed to putting bleach in her drink, according to the district attorney's office.
“The charges are twisted and the intended result nothing short of horrifying,” District Attorney Craig Stedman said in a statement.
Both the mother and child remain unharmed after the incident.
“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 OK."
