North Carolina Man Charged with Murder of Unborn Child After Brutal Attack on Pregnant Woman in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Authorities in Charlotte have arrested and charged a man in a brutal assault that led to the death of an unborn child, following an attack on a pregnant woman inside her home.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old [Name Redacted by Police], faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder of an unborn child, felony assault by strangulation, and burglary, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Police say the violent incident occurred last week in a residential neighborhood near Nations Ford Road and Farmhurst Drive, when the man allegedly broke into the woman’s home and launched a sustained physical assault.
Police: Attack Caused the Loss of the Victim’s 15-Week Pregnancy
According to an official statement from CMPD, the suspect strangled the victim before repeatedly punching her in the stomach, telling investigators afterward that he hit her “until he got tired.”
The victim, who was approximately 15 weeks pregnant, was rushed to a nearby hospital after the assault. Doctors later confirmed that she had lost the baby due to the severity of the injuries sustained during the attack.
CMPD detectives described the case as one of the most disturbing domestic violence assaults they have seen this year.
“This is an incredibly tragic and senseless act of violence,” a police spokesperson said in a Monday press briefing. “Our department’s focus right now is on ensuring justice for the victim and her unborn child.”
Suspect Arrested and Held Without Bond
Investigators located and arrested the suspect shortly after the attack. He was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail, where he remains without bond pending a court appearance later this week.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the motive but confirmed that the suspect and victim knew each other prior to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing as officers collect additional evidence and witness statements.
Community Reaction and Legal Context
The assault has sparked renewed conversation about North Carolina’s fetal homicide laws, which allow prosecutors to pursue murder charges in cases involving the unlawful death of an unborn child beyond the first trimester.
Domestic violence prevention groups in the Charlotte area have also condemned the attack, calling it another example of how intimate partner violence continues to endanger pregnant women.
“This is the kind of tragedy that underscores the need for stronger early-intervention and victim protection programs,” said a representative from Safe Alliance, a local advocacy organization.
CMPD Seeking Additional Information
Police are encouraging anyone with information about the case or prior incidents involving the suspect to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Tips may be submitted anonymously and could help support the ongoing investigation.
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