ROCKLAND – A dispute that turned violent has landed a local woman in jail on a charge of attempted murder.

Kellie King, 18, of Rockland Street was arrested by city police Tuesday after a weeklong investigation.

King allegedly tried to smother her boyfriend with a pillow as he slept at their home. King apparently was upset because the 19-year-old boyfriend had told her he wanted to end the relationship.

“She repeatedly attempted to smother him with a pillow,” Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower said Wednesday. “He woke up in the middle of it and had to fight her off to get away.”

Tower said the alleged incident took place Feb. 16 and that the man reported it that same day. He said the detective division obtained an arrest warrant for King after piecing together the case through evidence and interviews.

King was arrested without incident and booked at the Knox County Jail. Bail was set at $10,000 cash.