Sister of missing DC mom speaks out after ex’s arrest exposes 'horrifying' abusive relationship

The sister of critically missing D.C. mother Antoinette Forbes revealed that she was unaware Antoinette had been in an abusive relationship until details of a 2021 assault surfaced following the arrest of the father of her 10-year-old son.

Russell Ashford, 65, who was detained last week in Pennsylvania, reportedly took unauthorized overnight custody of their son on the night Antoinette was last seen, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

He also allegedly violated his probation stemming from the 2021 assault case, the office said.

Authorities did not name Ashford as a suspect in Antoinette's disappearance.

"Antoinette did not tell us at all about the assault in 2021, so just wrapping our minds around that, it's unfathomable.

We can't really conceive it," Antoinette’s sister, Aileen, said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"I didn't hear about them until I saw some excerpts of the report after my sister went missing." FAMILY OF CRITICALLY MISSING DC MOTHER SAYS POLICE STILL TREATING HOME AS ACTIVE CRIME SCENE According to Maryland court filings, Ashford pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2021.

During an argument over their child's schooling, Ashford allegedly threw Antoinette against the staircase, repeatedly punched her while she was lying on the kitchen floor and banged her head against the ground at least a dozen times until she lost consciousness, according to court filings.

The assault continued until a neighbor heard her screaming and entered the home to intervene.

After Antoinette was taken to a hospital, tests showed she suffered multiple facial lacerations, multiple fractured facial bones, eye damage, a concussion, a broken finger and bruising, court documents said.

Prosecutors said the assault left Antoinette with permanent eye and hand injuries.

After pleading guilty, Ashford was sentenced to 15 years in prison but served only nine months and five years probation upon release, authorities said.

Aileen said the reports came as a shock to her and her family, who are still processing the revelation.

"The report is horrifying.