Niagara Falls man arraigned after woman found with third-degree burns

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A 48-year-old woman was found Sunday in Niagara Falls with third-degree burns to her head, arms and body, Niagara Falls police said.

Police said they responded to a call in the area of 7th and Niagara Streets, where they found the woman. She was taken to ECMC where she remains in critical condition.

A Niagara Falls man, 38-year-old Barinder Singh, was arraigned Monday on a felony charge of first-degree assault.

He pleaded not guilty and despite objections from Niagara County prosecutors, he was released on his own recognizance.

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said it appears to be an isolated incident involving a dispute between the victim and the suspect. The city's police department is still looking into the details, he said.

“We're all aware of what the new criminal justice reforms are, so it would be difficult for me, at least at this point, to second guess those decisions," Restaino said. "Obviously, we believe that this particular incident would have required something different, but we're not at a point to question the judge's determination.”

The victim's identity is not being released at this time.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Falls Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division at (716) 286-4555.