Editor’s Note: The charges against the parties listed below were dismissed on Oct. 9, 2012. See story.  

BANGOR, Maine — A domestic disturbance call late Friday morning resulted in the arrest of a Bangor woman’s husband and father-in-law after they threatened to throw her one-month-old daughter out of a second-story window.

At 11:30 a.m. Friday, Bangor police officer Brian Smith was sent to investigate a disturbance at a residence off Stillwater Avenue. When he arrived, a very upset and frantic woman told the officer that her husband and father-in-law threatened to throw her daughter out of their home’s second-story window.

The 27-year-old woman was holding her baby when Smith arrived and gave it to him as she tried to explain what happened. The woman told Smith that both men were arguing with her about the baby’s sex. Her husband has been very upset with her since the day he found out he was not going to have a son.

The issue over her not producing a boy became more volatile when an argument started over the sex of the baby again Friday, and, during that argument, the mother reported that both men tried to grab the infant girl from her arms and threatened to throw her out of the second-story window.

Gurpreet Singh, 30, and his father, Harbhajan Singh, 65, were interviewed and arrested for Class D misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal threatening. They have both since been released on bail Friday. They both have been scheduled for an Aug. 22 court hearing.

123 replies on “Husband, father-in-law arrested after threatening to throw woman’s infant daughter out window”

  1. That poor woman.  How awful to have to protect your baby from both her husband and her father.  I hope those men are allowed no where near her or that baby until they get some counseling on societal norm in America.

    1. in addition to that, I think they both need to be educated on whose fault it actually is as to why she didn’t “produce” a boy. Not that either party has actual control over it…but…it is the men’s little swimmers that make the decision. 

      1. Wow. A lucid comment based on facts! I thought that sort of thing wasn’t allowed in BDN article comments.

      2.  They would never believe it, even if presented with the facts. Clearly, in their world, men can do no wrong. The question is, what good did they think throwing the baby out the window would do them, in their quest for a male child? You can’t fix crazy.

    3. These men should never be given a second chance to be near this woman or her daughter. Its pretty obvious that they are never going to change their minds about the baby. Its pretty obvious they absolutely loathe both the mother and the baby. Its a dangerous situation, and the mother and baby need to get as far away from these men as possible and start a new life. These men will do nothing but create fear and misery in their lives.

  5. I just don’t understand the Law and the courts today, these men should have been left in jail until trial ! This is a pure example they should have  ANKLE  BRACELETS  ON   !
    Don’t you think? 
    I just hope and pray that the Mother and child  will be OK.

    1. Let’s hope Mom and baby are in hiding somewhere.  Something tells me a piece of paper isn’t going to stop them from coming after her if they know where she is.

  8.  LogodaedalyGiggle, your URL sends you to an advertisement and will close this page when you exit. 

        1. No problem, if you see any of those links and click them on, flag them immediately.  I have a friend that learned there lesson on it.

  9. ‘The apple falls not far from the tree’.

    I hope she and her child are able to get the Hell out of there.

  10. Why not charge them with attempted murder?  I recently watched a documentary re: baby girls being killed in India, China & countries where girls are considered to be a financial burden because of the Dowrey that must be paid to get them married.

  11. Huh?  Guess they both don’t realize it’s the ‘man’ that determines the sex of the child…….

  12. Lady, whatever your name is, for you and especially your baby daughters sake, go to your nearest womans shelter, have the police help you fill out a restraining order, get a plan together, and go FAR FAR away in order to save you and your baby from harm. I realize your religious beliefs may make you feel obligated to stay, but please don’t. I dont know of any god that would want harm to come to your baby.

  15. They were paying rent on a house in a nice neighborhood, while the father of the baby was doing his residency at EMMC.  So not free rent, welfare and food stamps as you state, JohnnyTest…

    1.  Wait, this guy is a becoming a doctor and doesn’t know that HE is the one that determined the sex of that baby ?

      1. It should be interesting to hear what the administration of EMMC has to say about Dr. Singh’s weekend fun and games. It is also strange that the BDN left the fact that he is a Doctor out of the story. 

        1. What even happens wont be good…and you can bet that will be all her fault as well. That woman will be in so much danger for calling the police and that baby is in peril as well. If this hurts his career, that he no doubt has spent many years on,  you can bet they will be harmed.

        1. What I am doing is telling someone in legal trouble, with much to lose, to not comment on a public forum. Since the beginning of this thread several people have come in to say it is just not true. Most people who get in a domestic dispute don’t make a big section of the local paper and have to fight their battle in a public forum. This man, if it is true, will be fighting his battle today when he gets to work and later in court. I wonder, do you realize just how safe this woman and baby will be now if this is true ? If that is him that commented, there would no reason to further instigate the man. Do you know if she is there, is she safe, is the baby safe ? Once people came in to say that it is not all true I was willing to give it at least a pause for consideration. Also, if you want to comment on what I said later in the discussion it would be more clear to others reading if you replied to the later comment.

          1. You need to reread what you just wrote, because your not making sense.
            I’ll wait for you to to re-submit comment

          2. Ok, let me put it right out there for you. Do you see any reason to further agitate this man ? Lets say that is him commenting…Do you think what is best for that baby and woman is to engage him in this forum ? What do you think would happen if people came in and jumped all over him, and the way some can get quite bad with comments, it will not be good…now do you understand what I am trying to do ?

          3. First of all, India and other countries in that area have a large
            reputation for abusing females in horrific ways.
            Second IF it’s true the husband and his father said they were going
            to toss the baby girl out a window, that’s very bad. IF it’s true then
            these men agitated themselves.
            Do I know if the mother and baby are safe, not likely now, not if it’s
            true. I’m not concerned about “what he might lose” he married, had a child
            and if it’s an unhappy home it’s bad for everyone and it’s handled
            with divorce, child support and alimony, not with threat of violence
            to a baby.Your friend is in the USA now we talk bad about this behavior
            because we don’t like it. We don’t know who is lying but we don’t like
            that either.

          4. You just don’t get it…this is not my friend. Stop being condescending and open your eyes. If you don’t know where she is or if they are safe do you think the best thing to do is to poke a bear with a stick ? Stop being this way when all you can do is sit on the other side of your keyboard and do nothing to help this woman by making rude statements to this man. Express indignation, sadness, offer ways that can help…but don’t scream unhelpful things that will just make things much worse. You do not help this woman now, especially since he has found this forum, by agitating him more. If that is what you want to do then go to the address and tell him what you think while you are helping her get out. Now go ahead, do something to help.

          5. Just an added edit : I am VERY familiar with THEIR ways of thinking about women. More than you will ever know. I had a husband that spent almost 3 years in these “other countries in that area” in part to help fight for those women’s rights…don’t you tell me what I do and do not know.

          6. look at the DV in THIS country — look at the reports , look at the killings , look who’s doing it, good white americans in this state —don’ try to suggest  other countries are that much worse——– perhaps he should have stayed here and  help fight for woman’s rights.

          7. I am talking about Iraq and Afghanistan, as in the war..LOL did you really think he just travels around speaking for woman’s rights…but just not our country ? Hahahaha…you just gave me the first big chuckle I have had today. I work in social work. I know more about OUR “DV” than you ever imagine. If you are in the field you know me, especially if you have ever been to domestic violence presentations/ help clinics. What have you done lately to help ? Also, look close, I am not the one that suggested other counties have it worse…did you read where this whole thread started ? I was trying to deflect the whole thing…go back and read then say something to me.

            Edit: You know, I keep reading your comment and I can’t really make sense of what it is you are so worked up about from my comment. Where did I say that other woman have it worse than Americans ? I’m not really sure what you’re on about, confusing at best.

  16. Maybe I’ll make it past the Thought Police this time if I leave off the exclamation mark:
    “Maine celebrates diversity”….

  17. They threatened to kill a child and they have been released on bail !!! ????
    ” Gurpreet Singh, 30, and his father, Harbhajan Singh, 65, were interviewed and arrested for Class D misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal threatening. They have both since been released on bail Friday.”, BDN.

  20. As others have noted, the father’s genetic contribution determines the sex of the child.  The mother’s got nothing to do with it; she’s chipping in an X chromosome no matter what. This is either the greatest punch line in the history of domestic disputes, or someone is selling something.

  21. Did anybody thought that these are allegations and could not
    be true… Let the courts investigate it.

    In this country you are innocent until proven guilty. But, you guys are looking at their different appearance and making a conclusion. The prime minister of India is a Singh as well.

    I knew this family and they were happy to been blessed with a girl. I remember talking to Gurpreet when he was excited about choosing baby names. He would never think about doing what is alleged here.

    Gurpreet has had many exemplary conduct medals given to him. There is more to this story, let’s not judge it with this limited information given in this news post.

    His senior parents cannot communicate well in English and were not able to explain to the officer their side of the story. They have been through a horrific time just coming to Bangor few days ago.

    Let the truth come out in court, hold your judgments.

  22.  If this really you, and the accusations are false, you should not comment on here. Talk to a lawyer as you do not want to say anything that may hurt you. Please, take my advice, it will be very easy to say to much here when you are defending yourself.

  23. We should not be judgemental and avoid a ‘ Knee Jerk Reaction’. There is always 2 sides of a story

  24. I am sure there is other side of this story too. So lets not response like a ‘ knee jerk reaction’

  26. Nice! Let them out so they have the time to go back and do away with that poor little baby girl. They are sick twisted individuals that do not deserve to be on our streets.

  27. They make it hard not to believe that way. I know people that are not from here and I enjoy there company. BUT The Twin Towers come to mind more often than not. Nobody can be trusted, look at our politicians.

    1. can’t even go to a midnight movie….

      honestly, I’d be more concerned about our homegrown idiots than those from “away”.

      1. far more to fear here in america than a muslim. 50,000 auto deaths/year, homegrown terrorists like the 8hole in colo, etc etc et c

  28. You must be a man from India, or a brain washed woman from India. You saying the men are from a respectable family and the mother of the baby is not, says plenty enough. We don’t care what you think of these men or what men in India think of these men, we don’t like people who hurt children or women here.These men DO NOT look respectable at all.
    If men in India think men are the only ones important, then they should not be marrying or having  children  with women. They should be marrying and having male children with other men.
     

  32. Preeti you can repeat the same thing as many times as you wish. I am not saying that they get things right all the time but from my experience from living in this area for 66 years the Bangor Police Dept gets it right most of the time. I am sure the officer had probable cause to make the arrest that he did. Both men will have their day in court and I am sure will put on a defense. 

    1. bs- arrest is automatic in allegations of DV— and its usually the one who calls first that is believed.
      there have been several times the “hang em high group” of posters has been wrong–
      Like a good american, I think I will wait for the whole story to come out and see who is lying— some of you may look pretty stupid ( but of course we will not see anyone admitting they were wrong)
      no xenophobia here..

      1. What did I say that was BS? The officer must have felt he had probable cause or else he wouldn’t have made an arrest. Show me how that was BS. The men will have their day in court and at least hopefully will put on a defense. How is that BS. From you post the only BS I have seen is coming from you.

  33. Reply to Preeti:  Would you please stop posting the same thing over and over!  These are horrible people who bring a murderous behaviour long tolerated in their native country!  We opened the doors to the USA but, they should be slammed firmly behind these two, after this kind of barbarous child abuse!  Just in case there are other lunatic immigrants out there :PAY ATTENTION! 

  34. A demand to ‘deport’ people based on their appearance would seem to be rather racist, no?

      1. Why assume that only liberals care about matters of race? I know many conservatives who  care deeply about racism and discrimination. 

        1.  I’ve met enough Massholes in my life to know that if I meet someone from mass to instantly nullify any opinion they have. and to avoid them.

  35.  Do me a favor and let these 2 “boys” know that the gender of a baby is determined my the sperm which comes from them:)   

  36.  The police listened to all parties and made a decision to arrest, they must have given reason.

    1. Did you ask if James Holmes who killed so many people the other day was a Christian?

      First, these are just allegations (let first police figure it out). Secondly, it is not religion related.

      Though, it should not make a difference but they are not Muslims.
      We live in a country which is the most advanced in the world, but we still have ignorance and perception  around that makes us judgmental.

    2. Given that they are from India, I’ve got plenty of cash to bet with you.  You name the amount and I’m in.

  43. I would be willing to bet the men don’t call themselves American.  Different cultures different beliefs.  End of story.  

  44. They should go back to India then because after this they certainly are not going to be respected here!

  46.  Boneheads….Most traditional thinking is based on absurd notions, wishful thinking and fairy tails.

  47. The standard of review on domestic dispute calls is whether or not the Complainant is convincing in their representation that they have been  threatened in some way OR  that they feel threatened.

    Suffice it to say, being a new mother in a foreign country and having one’s father-in-law thrust into the mix at the same time would be stressful – for anybody. In addition, medical residency doesn’t lend itself to being a present and supportive partner.

    She may be experiencing PPD, having a hard time adjusting, OR actually in danger.
    A police officer is not going to determine that on the spot and needs to make a judgment call.

    Arrest seemed appropriate in this case.

    Unless I miss my guess, at the very least this family needs more outside social support than is available at home, right now.

  48. There are plenty of presumed ‘respectable’ families and professionals who manage to keep their dirty little secrets, secret.

    In the United States, all you have to do is look at ‘pedophile priests’ and more recenlty the Paterno/Sandusky case.  All considered very respectable – in the past.

    Church is a place for sinners, as I always say.

  49. Guess he was not man enough to make a boy!  Be thankful you have a child.  You both look like you are such pillars of our community.

  50. Why were they not charge with attemped murder, criminal threatening? This is NOT a misdemeanor offense.

  51. This is sad but particularly amusing. Technically speaking, it’s the man’s fault if anyone’s that their child is female and not male. 

    The male sperm cells are heterogametic and contain one of two types of sex chromosomes. Either X or Y. The female eggs however, contain only the X sex chromosome and are homogametic. The sperm cell determines the sex of the fetus. If a sperm cell containing an X chromosome fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote will be XX or female. If the sperm cell contains a Y chromosome, then the resulting zygote will be XY or male.

    These men should get an education before they hurt someone.

  55. This story is very disturbing.    You don’t threaten to throw a baby out the window  if you don’t like the sex.  Maybe this kind of  behavior is ok in India. But it’s not ok in America.  If people like this can’t live by the American customs, just leave, go back to India where you belong. 

  56. What? Are you kidding, or trying to be funny?  We live in America.  We love and protect children, and Mothers who risk their lives trying to protect their children.  Please, you wake up.  The two sides to this story is that the woman is a hero for calling the police, and the men are dangerous.  Enough said. 

  57. Let the cops do their job.  If the people involved were caucasian locals there wouldn’t be nearly as much controversy.  It it occurred, it is a deplorable act regardless of the religion or ethnicity of the alleged perps.  Sadly, articles like this just encourage the bigots and hate mongers to rear their ugly heads.  I certainly don’t approve of the way women and children and treated in other certain cultures and when I watch world news I thank my lucky stars I am an American!  Just allow due process to take it’s course. 

  61. I do believe that the Sihks (?), a religious group from India, are all named Singh. That being said I don’t know what or who they have for religious leaders as I am not that familiar with their particular religion.

    It might be productive if someone in authority could do a search and find their religious leaders and explaine a little modern scientific fact. That fact being that it is the sperm from the male participant in sex that determines the sex of the child.

    No amount of wife beating or infanticide will change the outcome of fertilization determining the sexual gender of the baby.

    If that route fails, they could possibly deport these two back to a country that condones their line of thinking. That is after they spend an appropirate amount of time cooling their heels in jail.

  62. They Both Quack Like A Duck, Look Like A Duck….Don’t care what color, pin strips, polkadots, american, indian etc….. they need more then a slap….she and the baby need protection….

  63. Glad to see in 2012 that this Melting Pot has been such a tremendous success over the last couple hundred years.

  66. I Hope she is smart enough to get out of that situation before it is too late……………….That baby deserves a better life!

  68. What a fair moderator! All racist remarks remain posted but protest against those remarks are flagged. Hats off to fairness of media and people

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