Texas man allegedly strangled 2 newborns in the hospital as his girlfriend was in labor
10/06/2022 4:28 pm PDT
ODESSA, Texas (TCD) -- An 18-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly forced his way into a nursery at a hospital and began choking newborns.
According to the Odessa Police Department, on Monday, Oct. 3, officers were called to the Odessa Regional Medical Hospital regarding a disturbance. Medical personnel reportedly told police a man "forced his way into the nursery and began assaulting patients and staff."
The suspect, 18-year-old Marcus McCowan Jr., was reportedly "aggressive toward officers, which led to a physical altercation."
McCowan allegedly tried to remove an officer’s gun from the holster.
The arrest affidavit cited by KMID/KPEJ-TV says the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m., and McCowan was at the hospital because his girlfriend was in labor. He reportedly went to the nurse’s station, grabbed a nurse’s arm, and said something "unintelligible." The nurse reportedly asked him to leave, and he allegedly began running around the hallway.
McCowan allegedly stared down a mother holding her newborn, but she moved the child after she saw McCowan staring at the baby. He then allegedly sprinted towards the nurses and pushed them as he tried to gain entrance into the nursery.
When he couldn’t get in the nursery, McCowan allegedly grabbed the newborn he saw and took it to the lactation room. A nurse reportedly saw him put his hands around the baby’s neck, but nurses were eventually able to free the child from him.
A respiratory therapist reportedly saw McCowan enter the nursery, where he allegedly took another newborn and started strangling her. He reportedly also picked up the baby and started shaking her. The child’s skin turned blue, according to the affidavit.
He allegedly told the newborn to "die" and he appeared as if he was going to throw the child to the ground. The respiratory therapist was able to bring McCowan to the ground and protect the child’s head.
Jail records show McCowan was booked on charges of two counts of attempted capital murder, criminal trespass, assault, attempt to take weapon from an officer, resisting arrest, and drug possession. Odessa Police said "numerous charges are pending."
Odessa Police listed the victims as two newborns, two nurses, and one Odessa police officer.
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