need to know
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The suspect, Judson C. Defire, 43, allegedly broke into a woman’s home and attacked her in the presence of her two children, court documents show
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Authorities have accused DeFeer of assaulting multiple women in the neighborhood, including an incident at a nearby church
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He is being held without bail on charges of kidnapping and attempted rape and may face more charges as the investigation continues
A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and assaulting her in front of her two young children.
Portland Police said in a press release that at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 15, police responded to reports that 43-year-old Judson C. Defire assaulted a woman after breaking into her home in Portland, Oregon.
“When they arrived, officers learned that a male suspect entered the home, forced a woman into the room, and assaulted her there,” police said. “At some point, the woman was able to distance herself from the suspect who fled the scene.”
Police found him near DeFeer’s home and arrested him. He was transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) and charged with attempted first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and outstanding warrants.
When police arrived, the woman, Grace Harrison, was found “sobbing” at the residence as she accused DeFiel of trying to rape her, according to a court order obtained by PEOPLE.
Harrison claimed in a March 16 probable cause affidavit that she “heard someone walking in the front door and heard footsteps going up the stairs” while holding a child. Harrison told police her husband was outside doing yard work when the incident occurred. DeFeer then yelled to her, “Honey, I’m here.” DeFeer allegedly approached her as Harrison “pushed her 3-year-old child into a corner.”
DeFiere allegedly grabbed Harrison while she was holding her 10-month-old baby, pulled her into the guest room and forced her to lie face down on the bed with her baby in her arms, according to the affidavit. Harrison begged DeFair to let her put the baby in another room, and he agreed. After putting the baby in the crib, Harrison locked herself and her 3-year-old in another room with a bookshelf and yelled for her husband and neighbors to come to help as DeFiere fled the residence.
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DeFiere is accused of assaulting a total of four victims and a possible fifth, according to court records.
Before breaking into Harrison’s home, the suspect allegedly entered a nearby church and “inappropriately touched a woman before fleeing,” police said. Defiel also allegedly assaulted two other women nearby.
DeFiere is being held without bail pending a detention hearing, Oregon Live reported. Additional charges may be filed against him as the investigation continues.
“We sympathize with the women who experienced these horrific events,” said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. “We appreciate their courage in coming forward. I would also like to commend the quick and coordinated response of our patrol officers and detectives whose quick actions helped arrest the suspect and bring a sense of safety to the community.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Multnomah County District Attorney for comment.
Read the original article on People
