Woman stabbed husband, police say

FOSTORIA -A woman accused of stabbing her husband was arrested late Tuesday afternoon after she was found hiding naked in bushes at her College Avenue residence.

Elizabeth C. Springer, 26, was arrested after trying to break into a West North Street residence in pursuit of her 27-year-old husband, Ryan M. Springer, Police Chief John McGuire said.

McGuire said Mrs. Springer had stabbed Mr. Springer twice in the thigh at their residence, 249 College Ave., after he took their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter away from her in the bathtub.

Mr. Springer had heard the child crying and went into the bathroom, where she was taking a bath with her mother, McGuire said, when he discovered Mrs. Springer attempting to harm her.

After wrestling the daughter away and taking her into a different room to dry her off, McGuire said, Mrs. Springer came into the room with two knives and stabbed her husband in the thigh.

McGuire said Mrs. Springer also bit Mr. Springer in the arm.

After hiding his daughter, Mr. Springer fled to 249 West North St., and Mrs. Springer, still naked, followed and attempted to break in through a screen window.

Residents at the house called police and were able to knock the knives out of the woman's hands, McGuire said.

Police then found her at residence, hiding in bushes.

Following a struggle with police, she was taken to the hospital for evaluation, McGuire said.

She has been charged with felonious assault, aggravated burglary and child endangering.

McGuire said she also was charged with felony vandalism after she kicked the police cruiser door, damaging the window.

Alcohol was involved in the incident, McGuire said.

Mr. Springer was transported to the hospital, where he was treated and released.

McGuire said children's service has been contacted and, after being found safe at her residence following the incident, the daughter is staying with her grandmother.

Mrs. Springer was being held at the Fostoria jail and appeared in court Thursday morning.

McGuire said bond has been set at $200,000 for the burglary and assault charges, and at $25,000 for the felony vandalism charge.

The incident remains under investigation and further charges may appear depending on the police department's findings.

Mrs. Springer's next court appearance is set for Aug. 8.