Andrew Ashurst (Somerset County District Attorney’s Office).
A resident of Pennsylvania is currently facing several serious charges after reportedly assaulting a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and preventing her from calling 911 when she went into labor. Andrew Ashurst was arrested on Tuesday and is now facing charges including aggravated assault of an unborn child, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, simple assault, and harassment.
As stated in a press release from the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office, Ashurst, who hails from Berlin, Pennsylvania, allegedly attacked the pregnant woman following a verbal dispute between them. The name and age of the victim have not been disclosed by officials.
According to authorities, Ashurst is accused of pushing the woman, causing her to hit her head on a toilet, hitting her in the appendix area, dragging her around the house by her hair, and striking her face with a cell phone. It is also alleged that during the assault, Ashurst prevented the victim from seeking help when she started experiencing labor pains.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders with the Pennsylvania State Police said they found the victim with visible bruising on her back, arms, eye, cheek, and forehead.
Ashurst was transported to the Somerset County Jail where he is currently waiting to appear before a judge for his arraignment.
“As a mother, I understand the vulnerability of a woman and her unborn child and I am appalled that anyone would jeopardize the lives of these two people,” District Attorney Molly Metzgar said in a statement following Ashurst’s arrest. “The allegations are unfathomable and I plan to punish these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
