A California father has been accused of sending his five children “away” from his car, to a park, so he could strangle his pregnant wife in the back seat during a camping trip in Idaho.
Robert Seviano Howell was arrested on Friday, Jan. 16, and charged with felony attempted murder, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release shared on Tuesday, January 20.
Deputies responded to a call at Celebration Park in Melba, Idaho, after receiving a report of an attempted strangulation. As authorities were en route, Howell, 32, allegedly told park employees that he had “choked his pregnant wife.”
Howell was immediately taken into custody by authorities upon arrival and EMS personnel attempted to save the victim’s life. She was then taken to a hospital in Boise, where she was admitted in critical condition. No further updates on the victim’s condition have been shared at press time.
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While speaking with authorities, Howell admitted to strangling his wife and said he planned to kill her, according to recently filed court documents.
Howell allegedly said he sent the children “away from the family vehicle” after they arrived at the park. However, the children “remained close” to the car.
Despite the children’s proximity, Howell said he then got into the back seat of the car “and began to strangle the victim with the intent to kill him.”
“Howell stated that he continued to strangle the victim and only stopped when he believed he had completed his task of killing her,” the statement said. “Howell told detectives that he then got out of the vehicle, leaving the victim inside. Howell testified that he drove off and went to look at the Snake River for an unknown amount of time before returning to his vehicle. Court documents state that Howell opened the door and discovered the victim was still alive and ran to get help from park employees, who called 911.”
He also allegedly “clarified” to authorities that he and his wife were not arguing before the attack, saying he “did not strangle her in the middle of a disturbance.” Instead, Howell said he “made a deliberate attempt to kill the victim and end her life.”
Howell’s children, who range in age from 1 to 14, were believed to be in “imminent danger” and were placed in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare after the attack.
“Domestic violence is one of the most horrific crimes we encounter because it strikes at the very heart of safety and trust,” the sheriff said. Kieran Donahue he said in a statement. “This case is tragic. A woman was almost killed by someone she trusted.”
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The statement continued: “It is our sincere hope and prayer that he makes a full recovery from this horrific experience. Sadly, a family unit has been destroyed. This is the true face and tragedy of domestic violence.”
It is currently unclear whether Howell has entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.