Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta has announced that on Aug. 4, Jose Antonio Ramirez-Duran pleaded guilty to charges. following his near-fatal attack of a woman while her children were present.

On June 9, 2024, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Bethlehem police responded to a report of an active assault where the victim was stabbed by her ex-husband, who was later identified as Ramirez-Duran. Upon arrival, officers located the victim and observed cutting and stab wounds to her neck, chest and back. She was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Upon further investigation, police learned that Ramirez-Duran had forced entry into the residence and then began assaulting the victim, retrieved a folding knife, and began to cut the upper portion of the victim’s back. Ramirez-Duran then stabbed her in the chest, before pulling her to a separate area of the residence and stabbing her in the neck. The victim’s two juvenile children were in the residence at the time and witnessed the attack.

Ramirez-Duran was charged with attempted criminal homicide, burglary, aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Ramirez-Duran was sentenced to 9 to 20 years for attempted homicide, 5 to 18 years for burglary, and 6 to 12 months for each count of endangering the welfare of a child, for a total sentence of 15 to 40 years.

This case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Peter Labiak of the Bethlehem Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ellen Kingsley and Assistant District Attorney Anastasia Elias.

All further inquiries should be directed to the Northampton County Office of the District Attorney.