Kids shield pregnant mother in attack that led to emergency C-section
By Jennifer Osting
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A man is facing several charges after he reportedly assaulted a pregnant woman, threatened to kill her and her unborn children, and trapped her inside of a southwest Louisville apartment.
Desmond Potts, 31, was arrested Friday afternoon in connection with the incident.
According to his arrest citation, Potts was involved in a verbal altercation with a woman at a residence in the 7300 block of Southside Drive when the confrontation became physical.
Police said Potts pushed his forehead into the woman’s forehead, grabbed her and slammed her onto a couch.
He then allegedly attempted to punch her as she tried to defend herself.
The citation states that a 9-year-old child then tried to intervene by jumping onto Potts’ back, but he managed to throw the child off.
Police said the woman told the children to leave and began gathering her belongings.
When she tried to exit the apartment, Potts allegedly took her phone and keys and pulled her back inside.
Potts then reportedly pulled out a knife, pinned the woman against a wall and held the weapon against her stomach while threatening to kill her and her unborn twins.
The 9-year-old later returned and tried to intervene again.
Police said Potts grabbed the child by the neck and pinned him against a wall before the woman persuaded Potts to release him.
After that, the woman tried to gather her belongings again, which prompted another struggle to ensue.
Potts allegedly dragged her into the living room and slammed her onto the floor before standing over her and acting as though he was going to hit her.
That’s when the woman’s child intervened again.
The 9-year-old, who had returned with another child, reportedly jumped on Potts’ back again, while the other child shielded the mom.
Potts then allegedly grabbed the woman by the leg and dragged her out of the apartment and down several stairs.
She eventually broke free and ran to a nearby home for help.
A neighbor called police during the incident.
The woman later returned home with her children, where she fainted and was taken to UofL Hospital.
At the hospital, the woman reportedly told police that the 9-year-old said Potts had kicked her in the stomach during the incident.
Doctors diagnosed her with a ruptured placenta and a liver laceration and performed an emergency C-section.
Her condition and the condition of the twins are unknown.
Potts is charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment, wanton endangerment, terroristic threatening and menacing.
He appeared in court Saturday, when a judge set his bond at $100,000.
His next court appearance is scheduled for next Monday.
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