Maryland Man Sentenced for Kidnapping Woman in Pennsylvania

Adam HathawayAdam Hathaway (Submitted Image)

WEST CHESTER, PA — The Honorable Jeffrey Sommer, a judge on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. sentenced 32-year-old Adam Hathaway of Baltimore, Maryland to 7-16 years in prison, followed by three years probation, after he pled guilty to aggravated assault, kidnapping, strangulation, and terroristic threats, announced the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. The charges stemmed from an incident in March 2020 when he attacked a 28-year-old woman at her home in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and then forced her into his car.

“The victim, in this case, was in terror and feared for her life the entire time Adam Hathaway assaulted her and drove off with her in his car – all while her young daughter was asleep upstairs, ” said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan. “The victim is commended for her smart and brave actions in causing an accident to get help. Hopefully, she finds justice in Judge Sommer’s sentence and can begin to move forward with her life.”

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office stated that early on March 8, 2020, Coatesville City Police were called to the area of N. 8th Ave. and E. Chestnut St. in Coatesville for the report of a woman heard screaming. Police were unable to locate the woman.

Around the same time, police stopped to assist with a car accident in the 500-block of E. Lincoln Hwy and saw a screaming female get out of the car’s passenger side who had ripped clothing and blood on her face. Police also witnessed the defendant – the car driver – get out and start to run away. The defendant was caught and taken into custody.

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The victim was transferred to Paoli Hospital, where she was treated for swelling, cuts, and abrasions to her face and mouth. The victim also had ligature marks around her neck.

The victim told investigators that the defendant, a friend for about 12 years, came to the house she shared with her 7-year-old daughter on March 7. When she asked him to leave, the victim said that the defendant began assaulting and strangling her. She said he threw her into a glass mirror.

Investigators learned that the defendant then forced the victim into his car, threatening to take her into the woods and kill her. The victim told police that she tried to grab the steering wheel several times to cause an accident before she was finally successful.

Coatesville City Police investigated. Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei was the assigned prosecutor.

If you feel unsafe around someone you love, contact the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County at 888-711-6270 or 610-431-1430 or 911 if you are in immediate danger.

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