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A suspect charged with assaulting his spouse with hot frying oil and also with Attempted Murder of his minor child was arraigned yesterday on multiple counts of domestic violence, according to Columbia County Sheriff investigators.
Deputies responded to the 19000 block of Swedetown Rd in the Clatskanie area after a report of domestic violence from a domestic violence advocate late Tuesday evening. Deputies received the call at 8:22 p.m., and responded to find the suspect gone and injuries to the victim spouse and the couple's 7-month-old son. The female victim showed signs of having her hands forced into hot frying oil, and the child showed signs of having been strangled.
Deputies began searching for the suspect, locating him just after midnight Wednesday morning at the suspect's place of employment on Old Portland Rd. in St. Helens. He was taken into custody without incident. St. Helens Police assisted deputies in locating and arresting the suspect, Jeremiah D. Crothers, 34, Clatskanie.
Crothers was arraigned in court Wednesday morning on the following charges: Attempted Murder, Strangulation, Assault Second Degree, Assault 3rd Degree, Assault Fourth Degree (2 counts), Coercion and Attempted Assault Fourth Degree. He remains in custody with bail set at $217,750.
The PC affidavit and DA's information detailing the findings of our deputy's investigation is included with this release.
"The allegations in support of this arrest are alarming," said Sheriff Jeff Dickerson. "Domestic Violence is a scourge that our deputies frequently encounter. Fortunately, we were able to find the suspect in a timely manner and put a stop to the violence, and give this mom and child a chance to survive."