A Crown Point man was charged after choking his four-months-pregnant girlfriend then kicking her in the back and stomach repeatedly, records allege.
Maxwell Merritt, 26, of Crown Point, is charged with attempted feticide, two counts of criminal confinement, one count of strangulation and three counts of domestic battery.
He is in custody, held on an $8,500 cash bond. His next hearing is May 26.
Merrillville Police responded May 14 to an apartment on the 3800 block of W. 74th Court.
The woman said their spat started in a car as they drove to pick up her daughter. It grew into a screaming match after he insulted her child during their conversation.
They turned around partway and went back to the apartment where the assault happened, charges state.
He choked her, threw her on the bed. When she fell off the bed, he physically assaulted her.
The woman told police she believed it was on purpose because he said in the past he hoped the baby would “die,” especially since it was a high-risk pregnancy.
His son was there and crying when Merritt beat the woman. She said he grabbed a gun briefly but didn’t point it at her.
