BERLIN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman and her unborn child during a violent altercation, authorities announced Tuesday.
Andrew Ashurst, a Berlin resident, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault of an unborn child, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, simple assault, and harassment. According to the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred following a verbal argument between Ashurst and the unidentified victim.
Authorities allege Ashurst pushed the victim into a toilet, causing her to hit her head, struck her in the abdominal area, pulled her by the hair, and hit her in the face with a cell phone. The victim reportedly began to go into labor during the assault, but Ashurst refused to let her call emergency services.
Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene and found the victim with visible injuries, including bruises on her back, arms, eye, cheek, and forehead. She was transported to a hospital for medical care.
Ashurst was booked into the Somerset County Jail and is awaiting arraignment. The severity of the charges underscores the gravity of the alleged assault on both the victim and her unborn child.
Ashurst’s arraignment will determine the next steps in the legal process for the charges he faces.