WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Authorities are searching for a man accused of trying to kill his ex-wife in Westminster, and police say the man has called local hospitals trying to find the woman, officials said on Saturday morning.
Frank Lambeth identified the victim as his ex-girlfriend Yasmin Dehabrah, the mother of his 13-year-old daughter. He said she was in a neck brace and not responsive when he visited her in the hospital.
"Just praying and hoping that a miracle happens," Lambeth said.
James Arthur Naulls Jr., 30, faces an attempted murder charge, according to a police news release Saturday.
Naulls is accused of beating and trying to strangle his ex-wife on Friday, police said. Westminster officers had responded about 2 p.m. to a 911 call about a 33-year-old woman who needed medical help.
Investigators discovered Naulls beat the woman, police said. Dahabrah was taken to a hospital in grave condition with life-threatening injuries, according to the news release.
"You can imagine what happened to cause such injuries," Lambeth said. He says she is a mother to three children.
Police believe Naulls is "an ongoing threat to the victim" and added he has tried calling local hospitals to find his ex-wife.
Naulls has a history of domestic violence, and his arrests date back to 2008.
He was charged with aggravated assault in a domestic incident in November and placed on pre-trial release with a GPS ankle monitor. Police said they believe Naulls cut off his ankle monitor.
The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force was helping in the efforts to find Naulls. Anyone with information about Naulls' location is asked to call Westminster police at 303-658-4360.
Naulls is 5-foot-7 and 190 pounds with brown eyes and a shaved head. Police said he has distinct face and neck tattoos.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters can receive an award of up to $2,000 for information that leads to Naulls' arrest.