Pregnant Woman in Maryland Forced to Deliver Baby After Allegedly Being Set on Fire by Boyfriend

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A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly setting his seven-months pregnant girlfriend on fire in her Maryland apartment last Friday, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department. The woman, who suffered severe burns, had to deliver her baby seven weeks early. Both the mother and child are in critical condition.

“She was very brave,” the Prince George’s County Police spokesperson Jennifer Donelan said at a press conference. “We want her family to know how brave she was, suffering as badly as she was, critically burned, worried about her unborn child, dealing with those injuries and was able to share that information with us so that we could get moving with our investigation and locate this person.”

The victim told the police that she was drenched in flammable liquid by her boyfriend and that he allegedly proceeded to set her on fire. She also alleges that he threatened to harm a relative in Washington D.C.

The suspect, Laquinn Phillips, was charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, arson, and assault. He remains in custody as he awaits extradition, according to authorities.

Arthur Grinage Sr, the victim’s father, has started a fundraising page to cover medical costs and personal damages from the fire.

Grinage Sr. gave NBC an update on the newborn baby and also sent a message to the father. “She’s hanging in there. She’s doing fine. She’s beautiful,” he said. “[Phillips] is a coward. He’s less than a man. Walk away if you don’t want the responsibility. Walk away.”