Police: Man accused of lighting woman on fire, holding her captive for days

WASHINGTON CO., Pa. — The COVID-19 pandemic has led to spike in another public health crisis – domestic violence. Police said a man set his girlfriend on fire inside their Washington County apartment and held her there for days.

The police chief in North Strabane Township told Channel 11 the woman had signs of being tortured and was covered in old and new injuries.

READ: Several police departments say they’ve seen an uptick in domestic violence calls since start of COVID-19 pandemic

There is also evidence that her bed was set on fire while she was sleeping in it.

The investigation started Tuesday night when North Strabane Police responded to their apartment for a report of a domestic violence assault in progress.

Officers arrested Douglas Schrecengost, who already had a Protection From Abuse (PFA) for strangulation in Allegheny County, after the victim's cellphone was found in his pocket.

WPXI Douglas Schrecengost Schrecengost is accused of keeping his girlfriend against her will for several days. (Washington County Jail/Washington County Jail)

According to court documents, the victim told police that Schrecengost:

Kept against her will for days
Beat her, broke her eyeglasses, bit her, broke a wooden door and struck her with the pieces
Held her down, stepped on her chest until she was unable to breathe

But the most frightening allegation was caught on camera. She told police he poured rubbing alcohol on her and her bedding, lit it on fire and said, “(Expletive), she really is burning.”

Investigators said Schrecengost also recorded the whole incident with his cell phone and later texted it to her.

You can customize your WPXI News App to receive alerts to Washington County news. CLICK HERE to find out how.

The victim told North Strabane police she was abused continuously for days.

Lisa Hannum, the executive director of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pa., told Channel 11 many domestic violence victims are unable to seek help right now and are trapped with their abusers.

“In 2019, we saw a 40 percent increase in hotline calls compared to 2019. However, our requests for shelters are down,” said Hannum.

Hannum said their hotline is being answered 24 hours a day.

North Strabane police said they found the empty rubbing alcohol container, burn marks on the bedding and a broken door frame. Schrecengost is being held without bond.

Each of those hotline numbers are listed below: