Calvin McHenry

A Westmoreland County man who reportedly tried to drown his girlfriend in a bathtub was paroled to inpatient treatment after being sentenced in Butler County Court on Wednesday.

Calvin H. McHenry, 60, of Vandergrift, was sentenced to 63 days to 30 months in Butler County Prison by President Judge Thomas Doerr. He was given 269 days time served credit, and was immediately paroled to hospital-based inpatient treatment.

McHenry was also ordered to pay court costs and a $1,000 fine, complete an Alcohol Highway Safety School, attend a Victim Impact Panel, complete the litter pickup program, undergo a drug and alcohol assessment and complete 60 hours of community service. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Charles Nedz, said McHenry completed a drug and alcohol evaluation in December, which recommended the hospital-based inpatient treatment because of “serious health concerns.”

He pleaded guilty Jan. 29 to misdemeanor terroristic threats, DUI and simple assault.

McHenry was initially charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor DUI, DUI highest rate, terroristic threats, simple assault, summary harassment and careless driving after an incident in the 300 block of Bullcreek Road on May 15.

State police filed the charges after a report that McHenry tried to drown his girlfriend in a bathtub during a domestic dispute at their home.

The victim told police that McHenry had been drinking all day and had been arguing with her before he went to get more alcohol, according to court documents.

She had gone upstairs to take a bath, and when McHenry returned, he resumed the argument, this time in the bathroom.

When the woman threatened to call 911, she recounted, he grabbed the telephone out of her hand and tossed it aside, before grabbing her by the throat and choking her, police said.

She tried to fight back, but he “pushed her head under the water and tried to drown her,” according to court documents.

She was able to push him away and she made a break for it, running naked out of the house, grabbing only her purse and car keys, police said.

She drove down the road and flagged down a female on a bicycle. The bicyclist called 911, police said.

When police arrived, McHenry had also driven away, but called the victim while troopers were there and admitted that he “couldn't believe he did all those things,” documents state.

During the phone call he also expressed regret for having threatened to kill her, documents said. McHenry eventually returned home and was arrested.

A breath test later showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.293 percent, three times the legal limit. A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

During the proceeding McHenry apologized, saying he was “completely remorseful for what I've done,” and that alcohol will no longer be a part of his life.