Man Accused Of Threatening To ‘Kill The Baby’ While Assaulting Pregnant Girlfriend Pleads Not Guilty
Feb. 15 2023, Published 2:57 p.m. ET
A Pennsylvania man has pleaded not guilty to allegations he beat and kicked his girlfriend, killing her unborn child last summer, officials said.
On Aug. 18, officers responded to the Genaurdi Family Center in Norristown about a report of an assault on a pregnant female, The Mercury reported.
The woman was at the facility for a prenatal checkup, but doctors noticed bruising on her face and stomach and were unable to detect a fetal heartbeat or movement from the fetus.
According to the woman, around 10 days earlier, she awoke to her boyfriend Robert James Wiley, 24, assaulting her, police said.
“In addition to punching (the victim) in the face, Wiley repeatedly kicked her in the abdomen and body, announcing that he would ‘kill the baby,'" court documents state, noting, "The physical assault continued to where Wiley choked (the victim) with hands and, at one point, a belt.”
Wiley stopped the alleged assault on the 21-weeks-pregnant victim when family members returned to the home, The Mercury reported.
Investigators determined the woman’s last normal ultrasound showing fetal cardiac activity and fetal movement was conducted the day prior to the alleged incident.
Wiley was arrested on Aug. 18 and initially charged with aggravated assault of an unborn child, aggravated and simple assault, strangulation, possessing an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person.
The baby was delivered stillborn on Aug. 19.
Following a months-long investigation, homicide-related charges were filed against the suspect in November, officials said.
Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.
On Feb. 14, Wiley made his first appearance in a Montgomery County courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
A trial date has not yet been scheduled and the suspect will remain held without bond in the county jail, according to authorities.
Recommended Stories:
California Man Accused Of Murdering 36-Week Pregnant Sister, Lighting Her Body On Fire
Become a Front Page Detective
Sign up to receive breaking
Front Page Detectives
news and exclusive investigations.