A 38-year-old West Monroe man faces second-degree rape charges after allegedly attacking a woman who had given birth just two weeks earlier, following his disturbing request to drink her breast milk, Louisiana authorities said.
Cecil Heath Fuller was arrested on 5 August and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center without bond after the victim sought treatment at Glenwood Regional Medical Center and reported the alleged assault to police.
The attack occurred around 4:30 AM on Tuesday when Fuller arrived at the victim’s home on Clayton Street in West Monroe, according to court documents obtained by local media. The woman, whose identity has not been released, had known Fuller for approximately ten years.
“The victim was disgusted with the comments,” West Monroe Police Department stated in arrest records. The woman told investigators she immediately went to her bedroom to create distance from Fuller after he made the inappropriate request about her breast milk.
Fuller allegedly followed the woman into the bedroom despite her clear rejection. The victim told police she explicitly informed Fuller she was not interested, emphasising that she had given birth just two weeks prior to the incident.
According to police reports, Fuller then allegedly “molested and raped the victim,” only stopping the assault when the woman’s newborn baby began crying. The victim said Fuller allegedly choked her at one point, causing the victim to be unable to breathe.
The woman managed to escape and drove herself to Glenwood Regional Medical Center, where staff contacted the West Monroe Police Department. Officers were dispatched to the hospital to investigate the reported sexual assault.
“This is one of the most disturbing cases we’ve seen,” said a source familiar with the investigation who was not authorised to speak publicly. “The victim was particularly vulnerable, having just given birth.”
Fuller’s arrest highlights a troubling pattern of criminal behaviour spanning several years. Court records reveal he has faced multiple drug-related charges in the Monroe area, including serious offences involving children.
In April 2018, Fuller was arrested at a West Monroe drug house where police found him smoking methamphetamine in a back room with five children present, aged between eight and 15 years old. He faced charges including possession with intent to distribute and possession with a juvenile present.
More recently, in November 2023, Fuller was arrested as part of a drug bust in Monroe and charged with possession with the intention of distributing narcotics, according to previous reports.
Fuller is described as a father of two who had separated from his wife and the mother of his children. The lengthy criminal record raises questions about how he remained free to allegedly commit such a serious offence.
Sexual violence advocates expressed alarm at the circumstances of the alleged attack. “New mothers are in an extremely vulnerable state physically and emotionally,” said a representative from a Louisiana women’s crisis centre who requested anonymity. “To target someone who has just given birth shows a particularly predatory mindset.”
The case has drawn comparisons to other disturbing incidents involving violence against new mothers. Nearly six years ago, a North Carolina father allegedly cracked his five-month-old daughter’s skull after the child’s mother breastfed while on cocaine and benzodiazepines, highlighting the vulnerability of postpartum women and their infants.
Louisiana law defines second-degree rape as sexual intercourse without lawful consent when the victim is prevented from resisting due to threats of force or actual physical violence. The charge carries a potential sentence of five to 40 years in prison at hard labour without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The Ouachita Correctional Center, where Fuller is being held, has capacity for more than 1,152 inmates and serves as the primary detention facility for all Ouachita Parish law enforcement agencies. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual violence, sexual harassment, and/or sexual misconduct involving staff and those in our custody.
Fuller’s mugshot, released by authorities, shows him with a downcast expression and dark circles under his eyes. He is being held without bond pending further court proceedings.
The West Monroe Police Department continues to investigate the case. Authorities have not announced whether additional charges might be filed against Fuller.
The alleged victim is receiving support from local crisis intervention services. Advocates stress the importance of believing survivors and providing comprehensive support during the recovery process.
“Sexual assault is traumatic under any circumstances, but when it happens to someone who has just given birth, it adds layers of complexity to the healing process,” said a trauma counsellor familiar with such cases.
The case has sent shockwaves through the West Monroe community, where residents expressed disbelief at the alleged crime. “It’s horrifying to think this could happen to a new mother in her own home,” said a neighbour who requested anonymity.
Louisiana has seen efforts to strengthen protections for sexual assault victims in recent years, including expanded definitions of consent and increased penalties for certain offences. However, advocates say more work remains to be done.
The Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office will review the case to determine formal charges. Prosecutors typically consider factors including the severity of the alleged offence, the defendant’s criminal history, and the strength of evidence when making charging decisions.
Fuller’s next court appearance has not been announced. If convicted of second-degree rape, he would be required to register as a sex offender in addition to facing substantial prison time.
Anyone with information about this case or who may have been victimised by Fuller is urged to contact the West Monroe Police Department at 318-324-2650 or the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Resources are available for sexual assault survivors through the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault hotline at 1-888-995-7273, which provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
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