Cops: NY woman attacks husband, sprays with chemical, douses in hot cooking oil, chases with axe

(CBS) FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.Y. - Police are looking for a Franklin Township woman who allegedly attacked her husband last week while he was sleeping.

CBS New York reports that the man was sleeping in the couple's home when Mauvette Mattandeen, 41, sprayed him in the face with an unknown chemical substance, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano said.

While the victim was in the shower washing off the chemical, prosecutors say Mattandeen doused him with a pot of cooking oil.

Then, Mattandeen reportedly chased him as he ran out of the bathroom and tried to attack him with an ax, detectives said.

Prosecutors said the husband was able to get the weapon away from his wife before running to a neighbor for help.

The husband, who remains unidentified, is at St. Barnabas Hospital where he is being treated for severe burns to his face, head and torso.

Police said the suspect fled the scene after the incident and that authorities have been unable to locate her. She is wanted on attempted murder and other charges.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Squad at 908-231-7100, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS(8477)