Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Article: Deadly domestic violence on the rise in Cumberland County

It's a disappointing reality for Cumberland County district attorney David Freed. He has seen 2011 develop into one of the most deadly years in county history for extreme acts of domestic violence.

"There is nothing that can explain what is going on this year," he said.

And now, the figures got worse when North Middleton Police entered into this brick house on Forge Street in South Middleton Saturday evening and found the body of Karen Stump - a 36-year-old mother of three.

The suspect is her fiance - 44 year-old Michael Fetter, who according to court documents, arrived at a family Christmas party late and suicidal. When police got there he told them "I choked my fiance to death."

Ann Shields works with victims of domestic violence, and she said she has noticed the violent trend as well. "It's a community effort - we all must learn to look out and if we see something say something," she said.

In Cumberland County there have been six deaths that came as a result of domestic violence, including Trisha Edelman who was shot in the stomach, killing her and her unborn child. There were also two murder suicides over the summer.

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