Police: Arnold man assaulted unborn child by punching pregnant woman in stomach

An Arnold man is accused of assaulting an unborn child this month.

Arnold police said in a criminal complaint that Aaron Michael McFadden, 28, knew a woman was five months’ pregnant with his child when he punched her three times in the stomach Nov. 3.

Police said McFadden went to the woman’s house that day to retrieve his clothing. Arnold police had notified the woman that McFadden would be coming for that purpose, the complaint said. She told police she didn’t have any of his clothing but said he could look around for items belonging to him.

When McFadden arrived, the woman told police, he forced his way into the house, yelled at her, pushed her down and punched her in the stomach, the complaint said.

Police said the alleged victim claimed a woman with McFadden, identified as his new girlfriend, threatened to shoot up her house. No charges were found against her in online court records.

Police said the alleged victim did not want an ambulance called and said she would go to the hospital on her own.

The complaint said McFadden told police the alleged victim had refused to let him look in her car after not finding any of his clothes in the house.

As he went to leave, McFadden told police, the alleged victim stood in front of the door and would not let him go. After he grabbed her arm, McFadden told police, the woman spit on him and maced him.

While the alleged victim admitted to spitting on McFadden, a witness who talked with police said the woman was defending herself, the complaint said. The alleged victim has not been charged.

Police said McFadden later called Arnold police. He said he had called Arnold police earlier for an escort to get his belongings, and that she said it was OK for him to come and look.

The officer advised McFadden to turn himself in. McFadden said he wanted to file charges against the woman for spitting on him and macing him. When the officer told McFadden to come in and give a written statement, he hung up, the complaint states.

Police charged McFadden with felony aggravated assault of an unborn child, simple assault and harassment.

He was released on an unsecured $20,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Frank Pallone Jr.