WICHITA, KS – A tumultuous romance spiraled into violence in Wichita, where a 19-year-old’s rage over social media posts led to an attempt on his pregnant girlfriend’s life and, years later, a lengthy prison sentence.
The chain of events began when Dominic Thomas discovered that a woman he was secretly seeing learned about his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend after photos from a baby shower were shared online. Tensions escalated over the days that followed, documented in a series of increasingly menacing text messages exchanged between Thomas and the 17-year-old expectant mother.
Messages obtained from court records reveal Thomas’s growing hostility. In multiple texts, he made clear his intent to harm the teen, stating outright that his words were not empty threats. The girl, fearing for her safety and that of her unborn child, pleaded in her replies.
According to police reports, the hostile communication reached its breaking point the following day. Thomas contacted his girlfriend, suggesting a walk near a neighborhood pond. What began as a tense conversation soon turned violent. Witness accounts and police documentation detail how Thomas, after a brief discussion about his feelings of loneliness and regret, suddenly put the girl in a headlock and attempted to drag her toward the water.
Investigators say the confrontation was drawn out, with the teen fighting back as Thomas dragged her, ultimately forcing her into the pond. He reportedly pressed her head beneath the surface as she screamed for help and begged him to stop, fearing not only for herself but for the life of the child she carried.
Thomas later admitted to authorities that hearing his girlfriend mention their unborn baby caused him to pause and halt the assault. He left her at the pond, fleeing the scene. The survivor immediately reported the attack to law enforcement, prompting a swift investigation and Thomas’s arrest the next day.
In subsequent police interviews, Thomas confessed to the attack, citing his anger toward his girlfriend for making his secret relationship public. He acknowledged sending threats and following through once the opportunity presented itself. Details emerged that the plan to harm her may not have been premeditated but stemmed from the emotional confrontation during their walk.
The courtroom proceedings, which concluded nearly four years later, resulted in Thomas being found guilty of attempted first-degree murder. Now 24, he received a 15-year prison sentence this week. Authorities noted the severity and cruelty of the crime as contributing factors in the length of his sentence.
Officials did not provide an update on the current well-being of the woman or the child, but records indicate both survived the ordeal.
The case highlighted the dangers of domestic violence, particularly when compounded by emotional distress, jealousy, and the misuse of social media platforms. The district attorney’s office said the outcome serves as an important reminder for individuals facing similar threats to seek help immediately.
Thomas remains in custody, with parole eligibility to be determined after serving the minimum required time.