Louisiana Man Charged with Rape After Alleged Assault on Friend Following Breast Milk Request

WEST MONROE, La. — A 38-year-old Louisiana man has been charged with second-degree rape after allegedly sexually assaulting a longtime friend just two weeks after she gave birth, following her refusal to let him drink her breast milk, authorities said. This case highlights critical issues of postpartum vulnerability and the importance of support systems for new mothers.

Cecil Heath Fuller was arrested on Aug. 5 after the incident at the woman's home in West Monroe, according to Ouachita Parish jail records and police reports cited by local outlets KTVE and KNOE. He is being held without bond at the Ouachita Correctional Center. It is not immediately clear if Fuller has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

The victim, who had been friends with Fuller for over a decade, told police he arrived at her home around 4:30 a.m. and made the disturbing request to drink her breast milk. Disgusted by his comments and feeling they were "gross," she left the room and went into her bedroom to escape him, according to reports from KTVE and KNOE. Fuller allegedly followed her, continued making advances despite her clear rejection, stating she was not interested after recently giving birth, choked her until she could not breathe, and raped her. The assault reportedly stopped only when the woman's baby woke up and began crying or making noise.

Police were notified after the woman sought medical attention at Glenwood Regional Medical Center, leading to Fuller's arrest later that day. This prompt medical response underscores the importance of accessible healthcare services for survivors of sexual assault, allowing for timely reporting and support, which is critical for physical and psychological recovery.

Fuller, a father of two who recently split from his wife, has a prior criminal history. In November 2023, he was arrested on six counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances after authorities found 200 prescription pills, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and methamphetamines at a home where two people overdosed. He was also arrested in 2018 for smoking methamphetamine in a house where five young children were present. These prior incidents raise concerns about substance abuse and its potential link to violent behavior, a topic of interest for healthcare professionals and researchers monitoring the intersection of addiction and crime.

Authorities are reportedly considering the evaluation of postpartum safety measures for the victim, given the decade-long friendship and the traumatic nature of the incident, as noted in reports aggregated by Ground News.

(Rh/Eth/MKB/MSM/SE)