 "Photo: Courtesy of Newark Police")
A 17-year-old girl has been hospitalized after being raped and thrown from a second-floor window of an Academy Street residence on Sunday, according to police.
Newark Police said 20-year-old John Nelson allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted the girl before throwing her from the window of the residence, located across the street from the Aetna Fire Station.
Police said officers arrived in the area at approximately 1 a.m. and began clearing a large crowd leaving the party. They heard screams for help toward the rear of the residence and found the victim laying on the ground beneath the second-floor window, being helped by several people.
The victim had been alone in a locked, second-floor bedroom in the building when Nelson, an acquaintance of the victim, kicked in the door, police said. The victim attempted to escape, but Nelson grabbed her by the throat and began strangling her until she became unconscious. Police said Nelson then sexually assaulted the victim, and then threw her from the bedroom window.
The victim is currently at Christiana Hospital, where she underwent surgery to treat a broken arm and punctured lung, injuries sustained from the fall.
The victim identified Nelson, who was arrested for attempted murder and rape after police found him at his home on Sunday. He was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Facility on $286,000 bail.
Anyone with additional information about the incident should contact Detective Nicholas Sansone at 302-366-7110, ext. 135 or nick.sansone@cj.state.de.us. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting 302NPD and the message to TIP411.