A Texas man has been arrested and charged with attempted capital murder after assaulting a pregnant woman and causing the death of her preborn child.
According to a Facebook post from the Karnes County Sheriff’s Department, Carlos M. Carrasco was found to have caused the death of a fetus/person under 10 years of age after he assaulted a woman, who was his significant other, during an altercation on May 20. The Sheriff’s Department reports that after an investigation, it was determined “Carrasco intentionally assaulted the mother with the intent to kill the fetus.” The preborn child died several days after the assault.
The report indicates Carrasco harmed the mother and child by impeding the woman’s ability to breathe and threatening her with both a knife and firearm. He was arrested following the incident for various family violence crimes and released on bond, but then fled the area. When the death of the preborn child was confirmed, a charge of attempted capital murder was filed and an additional warrant was issued; United States Marshals Service-Lone Star Fugitive Task Force were instrumental in finding Carrasco and arresting him.
The Karnes County Grand Jury has indicted Carrasco on a number of charges, including attempted capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (two counts), assault/family violence-impeding breath/circulation, and assault against a pregnant woman. The case will be forwarded to the 81st Judicial District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Though the mother survived her assault, domestic violence and homicide are one of the leading dangers to pregnant women. Homicide is one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women in the United States, accounting for more deaths than three leading obstetric causes of maternal death (high blood pressure disorders, hemorrhage, and sepsis).
Though Carrasco’s motives are unknown, there have been a number of stories of men who have assaulted or killed their partners or caused the deaths of their preborn babies because they did not want to have children.
Author’s Note: If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, or call 1-800-799-SAFE.
