Vancouver man accused of stabbing girlfriend, including in the head, appears in court

A Vancouver man is accused of stabbing his girlfriend multiple times, including in the head, with a kitchen knife Thursday at their east Vancouver apartment.

Jonathan O. Betts, 32, appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of attempted second-degree domestic violence murder and unlawful imprisonment. He is being held without bail until a hearing Tuesday to enter an order to have his mental health evaluated.

Vancouver police responded about 5 p.m. to a disturbance at the First Street Station Apartments, 16119 S.E. First St. A woman reported her boyfriend, later identified as Betts, was having a mental breakdown and that her life was in danger. She said he wouldn’t let her get dressed or leave the apartment, according to a probable cause affidavit.

When officers arrived and knocked on the door, they said the woman screamed for help and said Betts was trying to kill her, court records state.

Police kicked in the door and found the woman lying on her back in the hall with blood pooling around her head and arms. Betts was on top of the woman holding a small kitchen knife that appeared to have a broken blade, according to the affidavit.

When officers told Betts to get off the woman and put down the knife, they said they saw Betts stab her in the head, court records state. Police threatened to use force against Betts. He then complied and officers arrested him.

Police said the woman suffered multiple small stab wounds, including on her back, arm, hand and head. She was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center to be treated, the affidavit states.