Carlisle, PA — A disturbing incident in Cumberland County has led to serious charges against a local man accused of violently assaulting a pregnant woman inside a residential complex.
According to the Carlisle Police Department, 42-year-old Odudu Ukpanah is now facing multiple felony charges — including attempted homicide — after a brutal attack that left the victim with severe injuries.
Police say the assault happened on November 7, just before 12 p.m., inside the stairwell of the Seven Gables Apartments, a complex located in a heavily populated residential area of Carlisle.
Witnesses Describe Harrowing Attack
Officials report that several witnesses saw the assault unfold in real time. According to those accounts, Ukpanah allegedly confronted the woman on the stairwell, then forcefully slammed her head into the cement floor. Witnesses told officers that the attack escalated further as the suspect choked the woman while continuing to strike her head against the hard surface.
Authorities say the violence was so severe that the woman was unable to defend herself. Police described the scene as “chaotic and alarming,” noting that several residents attempted to intervene or call for help as the assault continued.
Suspect Leaves — Then Returns to Assault Her Again
In a detail that investigators called “especially concerning,” officials say Ukpanah left the scene after the initial attack, only to return moments later and continue assaulting the pregnant woman. Police believe this second attack may have significantly worsened the severity of her injuries.
Officers arrived shortly after the second assault, but Ukpanah had fled the immediate area, as per the reports.
Victim Hospitalized With Serious Injuries
The woman, whose name has not been released, was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Her current condition remains unknown, and authorities have not disclosed the extent of injuries to either her or her unborn child.
Officials emphasized that the nature of the injuries, combined with the fact that the victim is pregnant, contributed to the level of charges brought against the suspect.
Ukpanah Located and Arrested Nearby
Following a brief search, officers found Ukpanah inside a nearby apartment within the same complex. He was immediately taken into custody without incident.
He was later arraigned on multiple felony charges, including:
- Attempted Homicide
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Assault of an Unborn Child
Police noted the seriousness of the attack and the repeated nature of the assault as key factors in determining the charges.
Ukpanah is currently being held at the Cumberland County Prison without bail, reflecting the severity of the accusations and concerns about public safety.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing to gather witness statements and review any available security footage from the Seven Gables Apartments to piece together the full timeline of events. Police have not commented on a possible motive but say more information may be released as the investigation advances.
Residents in the area expressed shock and concern over the violence, especially given that the attack occurred in broad daylight inside a shared living space.
How can communities better protect vulnerable residents from violent incidents like this?
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