Police lights

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A woman was left with melting clothes and severe chemical burns after her boyfriend allegedly doused her with sulfuric acid inside a Wyandanch home, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Thursday, Dec. 11. 

Douglas Graves, 42, was indicted on multiple felonies after investigators say he splashed the caustic liquid across his girlfriend’s face and body during an argument in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 16, according to the release.

Graves allegedly grabbed a Clorox bleach bottle filled with sulfuric acid and threw it at her as she tried to leave the residence where he had been staying, prosecutors said. The acid burned through her clothing instantly, leaving her in excruciating pain as the fabric melted from her body. 

The victim was rushed by ambulance to Nassau County Medical Center, where she was admitted for chemical burns that continued to worsen for nearly a week despite emergency treatment, authorities said. She is expected to need future reconstructive surgeries. 

Graves fled before police arrived but was arrested later that morning. While in custody, he allegedly made several phone calls on Nov. 20 and Nov. 24 to two female associates in an effort to stop the victim from testifying, and he also attempted to contact the victim directly while she was still hospitalized, DA Tierney said. 

Graves was arraigned on Thursday, Dec. 11, on an indictment that includes:

  • Assault in the First Degree.
  • Assault in the Second Degree.
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree.
  • Tampering with a Witness in the Fourth Degree.
  • Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree.
  • Attempted Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree.

Justice Richard I. Horowitz ordered Graves held on $150,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top charge, the DA’s office said.