Orange County man accused of disturbing attack against newborn, the child’s mother

Savannah, a 19-year-old Port Jervis woman, is sharing her horrific ordeal with domestic violence in the hope of helping others after she says both she and her newborn baby were badly beaten by the child’s father.

News 12 Staff

Jun 2, 2021, 9:54 PM

Updated 1,290 days ago

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An Orange County man is under arrest for domestic violence after authorities say he carried out a disturbing attack against a newborn baby and the child’s mother.
Savannah, a 19-year-old Port Jervis woman, is sharing her horrific ordeal with domestic violence in the hope of helping others after she says both she and her newborn baby were badly beaten by the child’s father.
“He tried raping me that night," she says about a final, hourlong attack last month. “He was punching me and choking me...I was blocking my face so he didn’t hit me in my face.”
She shared images with News12 to show others what domestic violence looks like.
Savannah’s fiancé, 24-year-old Brandon Heinen from Goshen, is now charged with assault, strangulation and endangering the welfare of a child by police in Pennsylvania, where he remains on bail.
The young woman says he split their baby’s lip while forcefully shoving a pacifier into the newborn’s mouth and bruised the infant’s face.
She says in other instances, she was burned with a cigarette in her eye and left with defense wounds on her arms and hands.
The young woman is the fourth domestic violence survivor since February to come forward to News 12.
Advocates say survivor accounts like these raise awareness and, in some cases – like Savannah’s – help victims come forward.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help available by calling police or your local advocacy group.
Groups include:
Fearless! - 845-562-5340
My Sister's Place - 800-298-7233
Pace Women's Justice Center - 914-287-0739