NEW YORK (AP) – Caleb Suh, a former West Point cadet, has come under fire after drugging his then-girlfriend in her barracks, administering abortion pills to her against her will, and causing a miscarriage. The disturbing incident occurred in March 2022, and Suh later graduated from Cornell University in 2023 and enrolled at Columbia University, continuing his education despite pleading guilty to assault.
Suh’s actions were revealed in a lawsuit filed by the victim, known in court as Jane Doe, which she initiated on October 28. At the time of the incident, she was a 19-year-old cadet in her second year at the United States Military Academy. Contrary to her wishes to keep the baby, Suh employed deceitful tactics that included impersonating her in order to create an online account at an online pharmacy. He ordered abortion medications and, after sedating her with Xanax, tricked her into drinking a substance she believed to be a prenatal protein shake. While she was incapacitated, he proceeded to administer the abortion pills both orally and vaginally.
Following the incident, the woman experienced severe complications and later called 911 after realizing she was bleeding. According to the lawsuit, Suh ignored her attempts to reach out for help after she woke, leaving her alone and helpless. While she was hospitalized, Suh reportedly returned to the online pharmacy’s website to inquire whether doctors could detect the pills, demonstrating a troubling level of premeditation regarding his actions.
The woman’s attorney, Russell Kornblith, stated that the incident has resulted in “a life-changing event” for her client, who will continue to face the psychological and physical repercussions of the assault. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the harm inflicted upon her.
Awaiting sentencing, Suh expressed remorse during court proceedings, stating he is “deeply and immeasurably sorry” for the pain he caused. However, further details about any disciplinary actions he faced while at West Point remain unclear. After the victim reported the assault to the Army Criminal Investigation Division in May 2022, Suh, who claimed that the miscarriage was accidental, was charged in federal court in Manhattan in June.
Amidst growing scrutiny over how universities deal with cases of misconduct, particularly concerning sexual assault, Cornell University faced criticism related to similar allegations in a separate lawsuit. The woman’s case adds to the ongoing conversation about the handling of such serious accusations in academic institutions.
Despite his guilty plea, Suh transferred to Cornell for the 2023-2024 academic year. The university confirmed that he answered “no” on an application question regarding previous disciplinary violations at any educational institution. Cornell reported that Suh was in good academic standing and eligible to return, which facilitated his transfer even after his conviction.
During his time at Cornell, Suh was recognized for his writing and involved in the Cornell Center for Health Equity, focusing on topics related to emergency medicine, addiction, and public health. He also briefly worked in Cornell’s medical school prior to leaving his position. In September, Suh began a master’s program at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, where he was not required to disclose his criminal record but was questioned about previous disciplinary proceedings.
Suh’s sentencing has been deferred to January 2024, allowing him to complete his semester at Columbia. The postponement was not contested by prosecutors. Additionally, a source familiar with the admissions process noted that he did not disclose any disciplinary actions during his application to Columbia.
The woman's attorney hopes that bringing this lawsuit to light will prevent future occurrences of similar incidents, emphasizing the importance of accountability in cases of student misconduct.
