Pocono News Section

Pregnant Woman, Children Attacked in Home

Pregnant Woman, Children Attacked in Home - Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 4:56PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008 @ 04:56pm EST
WEST HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY- A pregnant woman is in protective custody after being terrorized for two days. Police say she was held at knifepoint inside her Luzerne County home. It happened in West Hazleton and now the search is on for her attacker.

Police say Lakesha Tompkins was held at knifepoint by Jose Avila at a home on West Clay Avenue in West Hazleton over the weekend. Avila was her live-in boyfriend.

"She was 5 months pregnant. She reported he did kick her in the stomach numerous times, held a knife to her throat, and she has facial injuries," said Sergeant Brian Buglio.

He kept her and her two little boys in the home from Sunday night to early Wednesday morning. Police say Tompkins told him she had better bring her kids to school or school officials would come looking. They walked to the school and that’s when Tompkins got away, running into the school and telling a security guard, who called 9-1-1. That’s when Avila took off.

"I would consider him dangerous, absolutely. We don't know if he has the knife, he possibly could," said Buglio.

Neighbors say the couple seemed happy. "I was at a yard sale up the street he was very polite he helped me put a table in the trunk they looked happy no signs of problems," said one.

Avila is still on the run. If you see him, call 9-1-1.