Melba, Idaho — A California man is being held on a $2 million bond after his arrest on an attempted murder charge stemming from a domestic violence incident at a southwest Idaho park, according to the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested 32-year-old Robert Seviano Howell of Orangevale, California, on Friday, January 16, after responding to a report of an attempted strangulation at Celebration Park. Authorities said park employees contacted 911 after Howell allegedly told them he had choked his pregnant wife.
Court documents state that deputies detained Howell at the scene while emergency medical crews provided life-saving aid to the victim. Investigators allege Howell admitted to strangling the woman in the back seat of a vehicle with the intent to kill her, stopping only after he believed she had died. Records indicate he left the area for a period of time, later returned, discovered she was still alive, and then sought assistance from park staff.
According to investigators, Howell told detectives there was no argument prior to the attack and that the act was intentional.
The 33-year-old victim, also from California, was transported to a Boise hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Authorities said Howell’s five children, ranging in age from 1 to 14, were in the area during the incident. Deputies determined the children were in imminent danger and placed them in the care of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue described the case as tragic and credited the swift response of park employees, first responders, and deputies with helping save the victim’s life. He emphasized the serious and lasting consequences of domestic violence on families.
Howell remains in custody as the case moves forward in the court system.
