Inquiries continue after assault of pregnant woman, NSW

A man will appear in court today charged over an alleged domestic assault of a pregnant woman and subsequent death of her baby in the state’s Central West.

Officers from Central West Police District were called to Orange Health Service yesterday (Tuesday 11 February 2020), following reports a 19-year-old woman, who was 21 weeks pregnant, had been assaulted and lost her baby.

Police were told the woman initially presented at Condobolin District Hospital feeling unwell on Sunday (9 February 2020), before returning the following day (Monday 10 February 2020) in distress.

As the woman and her 21-year-old male partner travelled to Orange for further treatment, the woman gave birth in the car.

On arrival, hospital staff assisted the woman and baby girl, who was declared deceased.

Inquiries revealed the man and woman had been involved in verbal arguments while travelling by car from Queensland to NSW’s Central West.

During the journey, the man allegedly assaulted her on a number of occasions.

The man was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station, where he was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm (DV) and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic).

He has been refused bail to appear at Orange Local Court later today (Wednesday 12 February 2020).

Investigations are continuing with detectives awaiting the results of a post mortem examination.

Anyone with information that may assist detectives with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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