A woman has taken legal action against her former boyfriend, alleging that he assaulted her and forced an abortion while both were cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The lawsuit, which outlines disturbing accusations, was filed on Wednesday in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, following a guilty plea from the accused, Caleb Suh.
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In June, Suh admitted to one count of assault within a maritime and territorial jurisdiction and subsequently pleaded guilty. The plaintiff, referred to in court documents as Jane Doe, claims that this experience caused her immense trauma and robbed her of a desired pregnancy, while Suh has since resumed a normal life, attending prestigious institutions.
Jane Doe and Suh began their relationship in October 2020 during their time at West Point. At that time, she was a freshman, and he was a sophomore assigned as her team leader. The situation escalated in January 2022 when Jane discovered she was pregnant. According to her lawsuit, Suh pressured her to have an abortion, threatening to take his own life if she did not comply.
The complaint asserts that Suh misled Jane by appearing to support her pregnancy while secretly using her personal details to obtain abortion pills shipped to West Point from an online pharmacy. He even impersonated her in communications with the pharmacy to inquire about the use of the medication, which he later admitted to in court.
On February 4, 2022, Suh reportedly visited Jane at her barracks and offered her a “prenatal protein shake” laced with Xanax. While she was incapacitated, he allegedly forced the abortion medication into her body, combining the pills with tactics that included physically obstructing her attempts to refuse.
The ordeal left Jane in severe distress. After regaining consciousness, she experienced significant pain, vomiting, and heavy bleeding. Fearing a miscarriage, she attempted to reach out to Suh, who allegedly ignored her pleas. Ultimately, Jane called 911 and was taken to two hospitals where she learned she had indeed suffered a miscarriage.
In the aftermath of the incident, Jane’s attempts to discuss her experience with Suh were met with disdain; he reportedly dismissed her paperwork related to her miscarriage by throwing it in the bin. The couple ended their relationship in March 2022, a few weeks after the traumatic event. Subsequently, Jane reported the matter to the Army Criminal Investigation Division at West Point, although the outcome of that investigation remains unclear.
The lawsuit details how Jane was left living in fear after the incident and asserts that her life has been “irreparably changed.” Meanwhile, Suh has continued with his life, graduating from Cornell University with a degree in public health, despite the serious legal charges against him. Reports indicate that he is currently enrolled in a master’s programme at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
In a recent development, Suh requested the judge overseeing his case to defer his sentencing until January 2027, citing educational commitments at Columbia. There has been no immediate response from representatives for Suh, Columbia University, or West Point regarding the lawsuit.
Attorney Russell Kornblith, representing Jane Doe, expressed outrage on her behalf, stating that she has endured unspeakable trauma while listening to news of Suh’s academic achievements. He affirmed his commitment to pursuing justice for his client.
In a statement regarding the allegations against Suh, Cornell University acknowledged that he answered negatively when questioned about any disciplinary violations during his admission process. They noted that his prior university had reported him as being in good academic standing at the time of transfer.
The case raises troubling questions about campus safety and the accountability of individuals for serious allegations of violence and reproductive coercion, underlining the urgent need for awareness and protective measures in military academies and educational institutions.