WICHITA, KS – A Wichita teenager who survived a harrowing attempt on her life is sharing her story after her ex-boyfriend was handed a 15-year prison sentence for trying to kill her during her pregnancy in 2020.
The young woman, who was 17 at the time and expecting her first child, endured a violent attack at the hands of Dominic Thomas, 19, after their relationship took a turbulent turn. According to court records, tensions escalated when Thomas became upset over photos the victim posted online after her baby shower, which led to another woman he was secretly dating discovering the relationship.
Days before the attack, Thomas sent a series of threatening text messages to his pregnant girlfriend, warning her of his intentions and expressing anger about their public relationship. Despite her efforts to reason with him and her concern for their unborn child, his rage persisted.
On the day of the incident, Thomas invited the teenager on what appeared to be an innocent walk at a local pond. After a brief conversation, Thomas told her he felt hopeless and hinted at the seriousness of his intentions, referencing his actions as a “last free meal” and discussing jail.
Things quickly took a violent turn. According to police, Thomas put the young woman in a headlock, pulled her to the ground, and dragged her towards the pond. Despite her pleas and cries for help, he forced her head under the water, putting both her and her unborn child’s lives in grave danger. Throughout the ordeal, the victim feared for her life and that of her baby, believing her mother might only discover her after it was too late.
Ultimately, Thomas abruptly stopped the attack, reportedly shaken when his girlfriend pleaded for the life of their child. He left her by the pond and fled the scene, later explaining to authorities that he acted out of anger over the situation he was in.
The victim acted quickly, reporting the attack to police, which led to Thomas’s arrest the following day. In interviews with detectives, Thomas admitted he intended to drown her, feeling betrayed that she had exposed his relationship to another woman.
After a four-day trial, Thomas, now 24, was convicted of attempted first-degree murder. The verdict brings some closure to the case, but the teen’s recovery from the trauma of the attack is ongoing.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the survivor’s courage in recounting the events played a vital role in securing the conviction. The story highlights the dangers of intimate partner violence and the resilience of those who survive.
The victim is now focused on rebuilding her life and raising her child, whose life was narrowly spared during the attack. The outcome serves as a sober reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding domestic violence and the importance of providing support to those affected.