From staff reports

An Escambia County man has been arrested after a pregnant woman accused him of lighting her on fire at one point and, in another incident, hitting her with a sledge hammer and causing brain swelling.

Kenneth Dauine Swanger, 45, is charged with one count each of kidnapping and attempted murder in connection to the attack that the victim said occurred around Sept. 4.

The victim, who was 20 weeks pregnant, called police from a hospital Tuesday and said that Swanger had poured lighter fluid on her two weeks earlier, lit a blanket on fire and tossed it on her, causing her to catch fire.

Swanger then placed the woman into a bath to put out the flames, but only did so because the woman was screaming so loudly, according to his arrest report.

The woman said that about a week later, Swanger became angry again and hit her in the head four times with a sledge hammer.

A hospital nurse allegedly told the victim that she had a brain bleed and a fractured skull, and if it wasn't for the fracture, then the brain swelling likely would have killed her.

The woman told the Escambia County Sheriff's Office that Swanger kept her from getting medical care, but she was able to escape Saturday and ran to a gas station to call family for help.

She said she waited two days before going to the hospital.

The woman has burns over 15 percent of her body, according to the report, and bruising and lacerations on her body.

ECSO arrested Swanger Wednesday and he remains in custody without bond.