Woman, accused of infideIity by her child’s father, had her thrroat sIashed by the man while their child tried to defend herself and her mother with a knlfe, but the bIade was too duII; conviction

Oregon – An Oregon man, ManueI, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault constituting domestic violence last week following a vioIent incident several years ago in which he sIashed his partner’s thrroat in front of their child. The victim survived the nearly fatal assault and later identified the defendant as the perpetrator. The assault occurred at the family’s home in Oregon in 2021, but the defendant was taken into custody in California three years later.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the defendant’s child, 10, called 911, reporting that her father had stabbed her mother during an argument. The child attempted to intervene by grabbing a knife herself but was unable to use it effectively. She then gathered her younger siblings, locked themselves in a room, and stayed on the line with emergency dispatchers.

Once the father left the scene, the girl emerged to provide aid to her mother, who was found unconscious with a severe neck wound. Despite the life-threatening injury, the victim survived and later informed police that her partner had accused her of infideIity before assaulting her and threatening to finish her and then finish the kids.

Following the incident, the defendant fled the state. He was apprehended in California in March 2024. The District Attorney’s Office commended the bravery of the young girl, highlighting the profound impact of domestic violence on children. Deputy District Attorney Skarestad emphasized the importance of interrupting the cycle of abuse to protect families.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced this week, court records say. Under Oregon’s Measure 11 sentencing guidelines, he faces a mandatory prison term of 70 months, or nearly six years, followed by three years of post-prison supervision. The case underscores the devastating effects of domestic violence and the resilience of those who stand against it.