Man kills ex-girlfriend at Westchester motel and flees with their 2-year-old son to the Bronx, according to police.
A man from Westchester County has been arrested and charged in connection to the fatal beating of his ex-girlfriend, a crime that culminated in a tragic incident at a Days Inn motel in Elmsford. Authorities report that Justin Bartley, 32, was on probation for a prior gun conviction when he allegedly assaulted Roseberline Philippe, 32, over a prolonged period before fleeing the scene with their two-year-old son.
The confrontation reportedly began when Philippe met Bartley at the motel on Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. This meeting followed a distressing encounter the day before at her family’s residence in Westchester County, where she lived with her parents. Security footage revealed that Bartley exited the motel with their son at approximately 4:30 p.m. the same day, several hours after the violence allegedly took place. It was during this time that hotel cleaning staff discovered Philippe’s body inside the room.
After the incident, Bartley fled to the Bronx, where he left his son with relatives. Law enforcement officials from Elmsford, alongside county police and the FBI, apprehended Bartley later that day. Preliminary investigations have indicated that Philippe suffered severe abuse for an extended duration before her death.
Philippe, an office assistant at White Plains Hospital, had initially met Bartley during their high school years at Port Chester High School. Family members have since revealed that Philippe, who had loved Bartley in the past, began to fear him following the birth of their child. Her sister, Yvena Philippe, expressed her heartbreak over the situation, indicating that they had hoped Philippe would return home safely.
The case has raised numerous questions regarding domestic violence and the challenges faced by survivors. Tragically, Philippe’s story underscores the violence that can permeate intimate relationships, often leaving a lasting impact on family structures, particularly on the children involved.
As authorities continue to investigate the details surrounding this gruesome crime, it remains critical for communities to focus on resources available for those affected by domestic violence. Assistance organizations provide both immediate help and long-term support, emphasizing the importance of addressing and preventing such violent incidents in the future.
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