A 32-year-old father from Orangevale is being held on a $2 million bond after authorities say he admitted to strangling his pregnant wife in the backseat of their car at Celebration Park, then walking away believing she was dead. The woman remains in critical condition at a Boise hospital, and the couple's five children were nearby during the attack, according to officials.
Records from the Canyon County Sheriff's Office show that Robert Seviano Howell, 32, was arrested Friday at Celebration Park and booked into jail on an attempted murder charge. The online booking log lists the offense as "Murder I (Attempted)" with bond set at $2 million.
Court documents and law enforcement accounts state that Howell told deputies he first sent the couple's five children, ages 1 to 14, away from the family vehicle, then climbed into the back seat and strangled his pregnant wife, stopping only when he thought she was dead, as reported by CBS Sacramento. The victim, a 33-year-old California woman, managed to get out of the car, reach park staff and was rushed to a Boise hospital. Officials say she is in critical condition, and the status of the unborn child was not immediately known.
Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue called the case "tragic" and said, "Domestic violence is one of the most horrific crimes we encounter," adding that quick action by park employees and first responders helped save the woman’s life.
Where It Happened
The confrontation unfolded at Celebration Park, an archaeological and recreation site along the Snake River near Melba that draws locals and visitors for its petroglyphs, trails and river access. The Bureau of Land Management offers maps, background on the park's facilities and guidance for visitors.
Investigation And Legal Status
Howell remains in the Canyon County jail on $2 million bond, listed in the county booking system under the attempted murder charge. According to the Canyon County Sheriff's Office booking log, the charge is recorded as "Murder I (Attempted)" and Howell will stay in custody while prosecutors and investigators continue to work the case.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and no additional details have been released. The couple's five children have been placed into state care, and the case is expected to move forward in Canyon County courts.
