Police: Pa. woman faked death in domestic violence case

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Police say a Pennsylvania woman played dead to avoid being killed by her boyfriend.

Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio calls it an extreme case of domestic violence.

DiLuzio tells The Express Times 25-year-old Bartholomew Palumbo and the woman argued on Saturday night.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

• The Education Partnership text campaign: Help kids with school supplies!
• Go inside Sidney Crosby's Nova Scotia home
• Pregnant meteorologist takes down body-shaming 'haters' in epic Facebook post
• Couple takes adorable newborn photos…with their puppy

Police say Palumbo grabbed the woman by the throat, slammed her on the floor and repeatedly punched her in the face. The chief says Palumbo threw her down the basement steps and shoved a rag down her throat.

Police say that's when the woman faked a seizure and collapsed.

She crawled up the stairs in the morning and Palumbo called an ambulance.

She's hospitalized in serious condition.

He's charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other charges.

It's not known if he has a lawyer to comment on the charges.

WPXI