Maryland

‘I'm Grateful': Woman Set on Fire While Pregnant Happy She and Her Baby Are Alive

A woman who was set on fire and forced to deliver her baby nearly two months early says she is happy to be alive.

Andrea Grinage sustained burns to more than 70 percent of her body when her boyfriend, 34-year-old Laquinn Phillips, allegedly doused her with a flammable liquid and set her on fire in her apartment in Capitol Heights, Maryland, on Sept. 6.

"I have pain in my legs from the skin grabs. I have pain in my left arm," Grinage said.

"With the severity of things, nobody expected me to be home so soon or be able to do the things that I’m doing."

More than three months later, Grinage told News4 she praises God she and her baby are alive.

"I’m blessed. I’m grateful," she said. "Even with the aches and pain, I’m just happy to be home. I’m happy to be able to walk and speak."

Grinage named her baby Journey.

"I’m happy and blessed that she was able to survive," she said.

Police charged Phillips with attempted first- and second-degree murder, arson, assault and several related charges.

Grinage said that Phillips was abusive in their relationship, but she did not expect the attack.

"I did not see that coming," she said.

She had filed for a protective order against Phillips in April.

Police said another man assisted Phillips in the attack.

In November, Jonathan Edward Miller, 27, of Temple Hills, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, assault and other related charges.

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