Teen, 18, Stabbed Pregnant Woman During Attempted Carjacking: PD

HAMDEN, CT — A pregnant woman suffered life-threatening injuries after she was stabbed in the neck several times by an 18-year-old Hamden resident who was attempting to steal her car during the overnight hours on New Year’s Day, according to police. At about 3:30 a.m., Hamden Police responded to a Fairview Avenue residence after the pregnant woman called 911 reporting that she had been stabbed in the neck and was severely injured, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Hamden Police Department and Hamden Fire Department personnel, who were nearby, rendered life-saving first aid to the victim, a 31-year-old New Jersey resident, who was bleeding profusely from the carotid artery, Smith said. The victim, who is 6 months pregnant, was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to Smith.

“Investigation revealed that the victim, along with her two children, nephew and fiancé, returned to their relative’s home after a New Year’s Eve celebration,” Smith wrote in a press release. “When the victim parked her motor vehicle in the driveway, she was ‘ambushed’ by an individual, who was later identified as Naji Deneutte.

“Deneutte stabbed the victim multiple times in the neck, as her children looked on. At least one of the stab wounds was to her carotid artery. Deneutte was attempting to steal the victim’s vehicle. The victim was able to fend off Deneutte. He subsequently fled on foot from the area.”

Detective Joseph Liguori and Shawn Nutcher assumed the investigation and quickly identified Deneutte as a suspect. On Jan. 3, the Hamden Police Department Special Response Team and members of the Detective Division executed a search and seizure warrant at Deneutte’s residence, according to Smith.

Smith said several pieces of evidence relating to the crime were recovered. During the search, officers also recovered a stolen loaded firearm that was located under his mattress, according to Smith. Deneutte was promptly arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Deneutte, 18, of North Street in Hamden, was charged with first-degree assault on a pregnant person, criminal attempt to commit carjacking, theft of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana. Deneutte, who was detained on a $550,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Jan. 17.

Pictured: Naji Deneutte, 18, of Hamden / via the Hamden Police Department