Blackfoot man charged after allegedly punching pregnant woman in the stomach - East Idaho News

A Blackfoot man, Ruben Hernandez, 34, faces multiple felony charges following a violent incident involving a pregnant woman. The charges include robbery, grand theft, domestic battery with traumatic injury, aggravated battery affecting a pregnant female or fetus, and attempted strangulation. If convicted, Hernandez could face up to 51.5 years in prison.

The incident took place in Idaho Falls during the early hours of March 4. According to court documents, the 33-week pregnant victim reported to the police that Hernandez had assaulted her, stealing her vehicle and debit card while punching her multiple times in the belly. An officer who responded to the scene noted visible injuries, including a crooked jaw and red marks on her face.

The confrontation escalated after the woman picked up Hernandez from a friend's house. When she refused to drop him off at a different location, Hernandez became angry, leading to an altercation where he slapped her. After dropping him off, he later called her for a ride from another location, at which point he assaulted her before stealing her car and phone.

The victim recounted to police that during the attack, Hernandez strangled her and repeatedly punched her in the stomach, causing her to fear that her water had broken. She indicated that while there had been past instances of violence, the severity of this incident was unprecedented.

Hernandez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 1 before 7th Judicial Magistrate Judge Wiley Dennert. It is important to note that while he has been charged, he is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.