A 26-year-old Michigan woman pregnant with twins was set on fire by her boyfriend, according to the Detroit Police Department. The suspect — who has a lengthy rap sheet — could be released from jail if he pays as little as $5,000.
Devonne Marsh, 41, is accused of pouring lighter fluid on his pregnant girlfriend and setting her on fire after the couple got into an argument at their home on Jan. 14.
The unnamed mother-to-be — who is six and a half months pregnant with twins — suffered third-degree burns on 60% of her body and is in critical condition, according to WJBK-TV.
“How do you do this to another human being? I can’t — it’s unimaginable,” Detroit Police Commander Michael McGinnis said. “Just incredibly traumatic injuries. I did see pictures and I just — the pain she must be suffering, I can’t imagine.”
Police say the woman was initially afraid of naming her alleged attacker for fear of retaliation.
“I want to applaud her for coming forward. I want to again let her know that she is not alone,” Sgt. Kyla Williams, who is in charge of the Detroit Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, said. “She has the men and women of the Detroit Police Department to support her.”
McGinnis added, “We just hope that he remains in custody through the trial process so the victim can heal without fear of any kind of retribution from him.”
At this point, it is unknown whether the twins will survive, according to police.
“They don’t even have a chance — they don’t have a fighting chance at life,” Williams said of the unborn babies.
Devonne Marsh was arrested and charged with kidnapping/abduction, aggravated/felonious assault, and violation of the controlled substance act, according to WDIV-TV.
Marsh is reportedly a parole absconder with a lengthy criminal record with past charges involving drugs, guns, and assault. The suspect allegedly also has warrants for his arrest in Macomb County and a pending case in Livonia.
Despite the callousness of the alleged crimes and his prior violent criminal record, WJBK reported that his bond was set at $50,000 at 10%. Marsh could get out of jail if he pays $5,000.
A spokeswoman from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office told WJBK that prosecutors don’t believe the bond is high enough for Marsh and are filing a motion to increase the bond next week in court.