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Becky's story: Nurse feels happy about job, friends, 4 grandchildren, but still suffers pain, bad moments
By Kim Hone-McMahan
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Jul 05, 2009
Five years ago Friday, Bill Slabaugh ambushed his wife in the basement of their Lake Township home. Grabbing Becky by the hair, he pulled the petite woman to the ground and sprayed her with the nitric acid he had ordered a few days earlier on the Internet.
''Why are you killing me?'' she screamed.
So angered was he that they were getting a divorce, he refused to stop. With a cold, blank stare, he sprayed her from head to toe with the skin-eating solution.
''If I can't have you, no one can,'' he told her.
It wasn't until the lid on the plastic bottle came off, spilling some of the liquid on Bill, that he loosened his grip.
In an instant, Becky leapt up, ran upstairs and outdoors. Dragging the hose down the driveway, she let the cold water run over her body, crying for help.
As neighbors rushed to her rescue, her skin began to shrivel, pucker and peel. Strands of her hair fell into the stream of water that ran down the driveway and into the street.
Airlifted to Akron Children's Hospital with burns over about 50 percent of her body, Becky endured excruciating treatments, surgery, infections and horrific pain. To help reduce the scarring, she was clad in head-to-toe pressure garments and a mask.
She slept in a tight hood made of stretchy material with holes cut out for
eyes, nostrils, ears and mouth. During the day, she wore a clear plastic mask, tucking her short salt-and-pepper hair beneath a baseball cap.
A year after the attack, Becky told her story on the front page of the Beacon Journal in a six-day series. Strangers at places like the grocery store and yard sales asked to shake her hand, recognizing the woman in the mask. Becky had become a symbol of strength and courage.
Back to maiden name
Today Becky, who is divorced from Slabaugh and now goes by her maiden name of Spellman, is doing well and has a deep gratitude to the strangers who opened their hearts to her.
At 53, she now has four grandchildren, loves her job as a Medicare assessment nurse at Akron's Rockynol Retirement Community, and has a special guy in her life. The kind-hearted man had contacted her after reading her story in the newspaper. For months, the pair chatted on the Internet.
''This is the only person that I've been with that was actually my friend,'' she said of the man she's been dating for more than three years. ''I can tell him anything. That's pretty important. Even though it [the attack] has been five years, I still have my periods where I wake up one day, and for whatever reason, I'm having a hard time.''
One of those times came in 2007, when she began suffering panic attacks. The bouts of fear made her angry.
''I don't understand. It doesn't make any sense,'' she would tell her friends. ''You have to understand this isn't me. I'm not a fearful person. I've never been afraid of anything. In fact, I wasn't even afraid after this happened until now.''
Those who followed Becky's story won't be surprised to learn that she has worked through the panic attacks. Though sometimes she still grieves.
''In the first year, the waves [of grief] came real close together. I would be knocked down and tossed about. And then I would be surprised to find myself standing on the shore again,'' she explained. ''Now they are much, much further apart.''
Body and mind
Physically, she is well, though she will never be back to the way she was before being burned. She's accepted that.
Her left arm in particular has given her trouble. Scar tissue wraps the circumference of her arm and is attached to the muscle. She also has lots of digestive problems, which she thinks were caused by infections from a feeding tube, donor sites and a staph infection in her lungs.
Cosmetically, she's had a brow lift and an eyebrow tattooed over her right eye. She's had cortisone injections in the scar tissues. To avoid further agony, she is opting not to do more, at least for now.
''I can live with this,'' she said. ''I can imagine that in time, I may have to have [more] work. If you think about it, scar tissue isn't going to go anywhere. The rest of the skin is going to do what skin does.''
As for Bill Slabaugh, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence, there used to be a time when she would have considered the retired attorney a distinguished man. Looking back, she believes he was simply arrogant.
''The strongest impression that he has left me was the look on his face when we were in the basement,'' Becky said. ''That cold indifference.''
Though Bill is prohibited from speaking to her directly, she said the 73-year-old has been busy writing to others regarding legal issues. And she's never received word that he regrets the day he held her down in an attempt to disfigure her physically, and scar her emotionally.
While Bill spewed hatred from a bottle on that cool summer's day on July 10, 2004, he's been unsuccessful in destroying Becky's spirit.
''I'm the happiest I've ever been, which is probably a strange thing to say because I have sad moments. But they are confined,'' she said. ''If you ask me how I feel on an everyday basis, I feel really peaceful. I feel really fulfilled. And I feel genuinely happy. My life has absolutely never been better than it is this minute.''
Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.
Five years ago Friday, Bill Slabaugh ambushed his wife in the basement of their Lake Township home. Grabbing Becky by the hair, he pulled the petite woman to the ground and sprayed her with the nitric acid he had ordered a few days earlier on the Internet.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 07:19 AM, 07/05/2009
I was a neighbor of Becky's when she was growing up. She was the most beautiful little lady inside and out. My heart bleeds for her. She is even more beautiful now. God's grace and mercy to you, Becky.
akron, Oh
Posted 07:55 AM, 07/05/2009
Your story is heroic. An example of a strong, confident, and brave woman. Unfortunatley it took that awful event to bring you to your wonderful spouse now. Thank you for sharing.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:15 AM, 07/05/2009
what a story,hope this very strong woman
has a very happy life from now on..
Akron, OH
Posted 08:53 AM, 07/05/2009
A nice follow up story to a tragic event. The best of luck to Becky.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:18 AM, 07/05/2009
Becky, you are an inspiration. Best wishes to you and your new man. He sounds like a keeper!
Posted 10:31 AM, 07/05/2009
i remember your story and the best of everything
to you !!! god bless
Canton, OH
Posted 11:19 AM, 07/05/2009
WOW !!!!!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:20 AM, 07/05/2009
We are so glad to see this article and know that you are doing so well. You are a definate inspiration to people to overcome lifes worst obstacles
Posted 11:28 AM, 07/05/2009
"...As for Bill Slabaugh, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence,..."
WTF???? Are you kidding me? only 12 years?
This psychotic lump of flesh should have gone to the chair.
You'd think, at the very least, a life sentence would have been handed down.
Who was the moronic, idiotic judge who handed down this ridiculous cakewalk of a punishment?
Anyone know?
Unbelieveable.
Hats off to this woman for having the strength to survive this. I can't even begin to imagine the strength it took and continues to take.
Good luck and all the best to you, Becky.
Posted 12:19 PM, 07/05/2009
You are brave and beautiful Becky! God Bless!
Posted 12:22 PM, 07/05/2009
You look beautiful, all the best to you! You are a fine example of stregth and courage!
Canton, Oh
Posted 12:33 PM, 07/05/2009
Bless you Becky!
Posted 12:44 PM, 07/05/2009
You do look great ! And my best to you in continued healing.
Sorry he only got 12 years. They don't call it criminal justice for nothing.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:50 PM, 07/05/2009
He locked up for only TWELVE years???
''If I can't have you, no one can,'' he told her.
There's no RELIABLE "rehab" for a monster like that.
I wonder how many times she had to flee the house and call police because he was torturing her mentally for years and other people believed "the attorney's" smooth-talk side of the story.
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:53 PM, 07/05/2009
Bill Slabaugh attempted to scar her forever, only to make her a stronger, more beautiful woman.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:50 PM, 07/05/2009
Becky,
I think you're perfect, just the way you are. Your wonderful can-do attitude is an inspiration!
I am absolutely appalled that Bill Slabaugh received ONLY 12 years. I find that shocking.
Akron, oh
Posted 01:59 PM, 07/05/2009
I was so touched a few years back when I read the Beacon's week long story that they did on Becky. She is such a strong and beautiful person. God Bless her.
akron, oh
Posted 02:42 PM, 07/05/2009
Unfortunatly the prev. articles don't list the judge-it was Stark Co and he plead guilty to kidnapping and fel. assault.-Got 12 yrs-think the judge dropped the ball on this. I am going to try and find out the judge and let you all know.
Good luck to Becky-I think she looks GREAT I like that hair style very much and she has an amazing smile!
Akron, Oh
Posted 04:34 PM, 07/05/2009
..."Becky had become a symbol of strength and courage." ...Becky is a symbol of strength and courage!
Good luck girl, u deserve it and by the way...u look gorgeous!
Akrom, Oh
Posted 05:37 PM, 07/05/2009
God Bless you Becky! I'm wondering if this is the same Becky Spellman who went to Rankin School with me?
Posted 05:57 PM, 07/05/2009
Thank you for the follow up on Becky, I had thought about her not very long ago and wondered how she has been doing. I'm so glad to see that she continues to heal and has such a full life. She truly is an inspiration to us all. Bless you!
Posted 06:08 PM, 07/05/2009
"...Unfortunatly the prev. articles don't list the judge-it was Stark Co and he plead guilty to kidnapping and fel. assault.-Got 12 yrs-think the judge dropped the ball on this. I am going to try and find out the judge and let you all know..."
Please do. While there isn't much I can do about it because I'm a Summit County resident; I'd still like to know and in turn let friends who do live in Stark know as well.
Long Beach, CA
Posted 06:42 PM, 07/05/2009
Hi, I'm Becky's son, Jeremy. On behalf of our family, the community support my mom has received over the past 5 years has been absolutely fantastic and enormously encouraging. A thousand thank you's to all of you who've read Mom's story and especially those who've taken a moment to offer help or a kind word.
The judge who presided over Mom's case is Judge John G. Haas and please believe me when I say we are absolutely indebted to this man for his wisdom and firmness.
For a little perspective, our lawyer was trying to prepare us for the likelihood that Judge Haas would dismiss the Kidnapping charge and only penalize Bill for Felonious Assault, which would have gotten him a maximum of 3 or 4 years. Fortunately, Haas indeed saw Bill's trapping of my mom in the basement as kidnapping and gave him a sentence significantly longer, close to the maximum allowable by law.
Needless to say, another judge might've easily seen matters differently, in which case Bill would be free right now. Our family does appreciate the sentiment from all those who see a 12 year sentence as unfair... and no one understands better than us the frustrations of the American legal system, but Judge Haas is a good man and we're thankful for him.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:51 PM, 07/05/2009
God Bless you Becky!!!
You are what I want my children to be!
canal fulton , oh
Posted 07:21 PM, 07/05/2009
What a wonderful update.
Posted 07:30 PM, 07/05/2009
Becky,
You look GREAT!!! What an inspiration to all abused and battered women.
Posted 11:05 PM, 07/05/2009
What an inspiration ... Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 12:48 AM, 07/06/2009
My wife worked with Becky at HeatherKnoll when this happened and I'm glad to see that she has recovered. I hope that they remind us when this jack@ss gets out so he can get his. I never met Becky, but my wife described her as the nicest person and it was really terrible what this monster did. Becky, you look really great and best wishes to you and your hubby.
Eastlake, oh
Posted 06:42 AM, 07/06/2009
Today was the first time I read Becky's story and I was at first outraged and saddened by what happened. But I'm glad she fought for her life when so many give up, she kept her sense of humor, and positive outlook. I'm glad she found another great man and good luck to you in the future, Becky! You deserve all the happiness in the world!
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:01 AM, 07/06/2009
What a great story, but at the same time a little disturbing. It's too bad that her ex will be out in a meer 7 years.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:50 AM, 07/06/2009
Bless you Becky and Thank you Jeremy for the perspective on the sentencing. I hope Becky's joy grows as has her beauty and cleary strength...as for her ex I hope he is a celebrity in prison in the worse way. Won't change what he did to Becky but boy it will give him perspective over and over...
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 08:09 AM, 07/06/2009
so glad there was an update, this story broke my heart when i first read of it 5 yrs. ago.
God Bless to Becky and family.
San Antonio, TX
Posted 11:19 AM, 07/06/2009
Becky, you are an inspiration to all women, especially to those who have suffered abuse by a man in one way or another. You have proven that no one has the power to break a person's spirit! Continue to tell your story! May God continue to richly bless you in your life! Thank you for sharing this most touching story of courage and triumph. MMG
Posted 11:27 AM, 07/06/2009
I work for The Battered Womens Shelter of Akron, Ohio. I want to say you are a true inspiration for women who have suffered brutality at the hands of a significant other. I looked at your photo, and overcame, beautiful, vibrant, and blessed are just a few if the workds that came to mind. I also appreciate your son spelling out the way the law 'could have' and the way 'it did' handle your situation. I was also taken aback by the 'light sentence' but that helped me to feel a little better about the sysstem and the judge. You look exceptionally beautiful for what you went through. I remember the story and I cannot beiieve the is you. Wow, a true knowck out . Stay blessed and loved.
Posted 12:51 PM, 07/06/2009
Jeremy,
Thanks for the information on the trial, and the good job that you feel the judge did. This should be an example to people that get little tidbits of information and then get all indignant about something. I think if somebody had just listed the judge's name people would be screaming "Don't re-elect that SOB. He should be tarred and feathered" etc.
Those involved in the case feel the judge did a good job. You all need to understand that there are rules the judge has to play by as well. He can't just sentence somebody to death or life in prison because the crime was heinous.
AKRON, OH
Posted 01:34 PM, 07/06/2009
wow you are amazing , I was burned when I was little.Nothing at all what you went through.You keep going strong and be happy!!!! You deserve the world!~ and when he gets out make sure he is no where around you or anyone you love, god bless you and your new life! You are beautiful!
akron, OH
Posted 01:00 PM, 07/07/2009
Becky I read your story 5 yrs. ago and I'm glad you are living your life with joy and happiness. God bless you and your entire family.Also I'd like to give a very heart felted thanks to your neighbors for their tremendous respond and especially Randy and Angela Woods,real heros I applaud you all.Understand that their lives have been forever changed.
Posted 12:15 PM, 07/08/2009
Thank you Becky and Jeremy for the update. May God bless you Becky and give you strength to continue on with your life. I know I would have given up. Hope you enjoy your life ahead with your family and your new fella. Best wishes.
