Woman’s Clothes ‘Melting Off’ After Boyfriend Threw Sulfuric Acid on Her In Wyandanch: DA

WYANDANCH, N.Y. — A Wyandanch man has been indicted on first-degree assault and other charges after he threw sulfuric acid on his girlfriend during a violent attack inside a Wyandanch home last month, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Tierney said Douglas Graves, 42, caused devastating chemical burns to the woman’s face and body when he splashed her with a caustic liquid stored inside a Clorox bleach bottle.

According to prosecutors, Graves and the victim were inside a residence where he had been staying in the early morning hours of Nov. 16 when the woman attempted to leave. An argument followed, and Graves threw sulfuric acid onto her face and body.

Prosecutors said the corrosive liquid immediately burned through the woman’s clothing, causing excruciating pain and rapidly spreading across her skin. The victim told police that Graves routinely carried the acid mixture for “personal protection,” Tierney said.

When officers arrived, her clothing was melting from the chemical reaction. She was taken to Nassau University Medical Center and admitted for treatment. Despite emergency neutralization efforts, prosecutors said her burns continued to worsen for about a week and required ongoing wound care. Reconstructive surgeries will be needed to repair the damage.

Graves fled the scene before police arrived, but was arrested later that morning, Tierney said.

While in custody, he made phone calls on Nov. 20 and Nov. 24 to two female associates seeking help to stop the victim from testifying, prosecutors said. Tierney said Graves also attempted to contact the victim directly while she remained hospitalized.

Graves was arraigned Dec. 11 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Horowitz on charges including two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree tampering with a witness, second-degree criminal contempt, and second-degree attempted criminal contempt in the Second Degree, prosecutors said.

Horowitz ordered him held on $150,000 cash bail, $500,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. Graves is due back in court Jan. 8, 2026. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count, Tierney said.

He is represented by Ira Weissman, who could not immediately respond to Patch for comment.

“This kind of cruelty is unimaginable,” Tierney said. “Survivors of domestic violence deserve unwavering protection, and we will not tolerate those who believe they can brutalize their partners without consequence.”