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May 23, 2012

Man charged in miscarriage

Boyfriend accused of beating causing baby’s loss

By Dylan Goforth Phoenix Staff Writer

A Muskogee man was charged Tuesday with beating his pregnant girlfriend so severely that she lost her baby.

Ricky Ray Gaffney II, 33, was arrested Saturday after what prosecutors say was his second attack on his pregnant girlfriend in less than two weeks.

Gaffney is being held without bond in the Muskogee County/City Detention Facility. He is charged with domestic assault and battery against a pregnant woman causing miscarriage, as well as obstructing an officer.

Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Gary Huggins said Gaffney’s girlfriend told police Gaffney assaulted her Mother’s Day weekend.

The woman told prosecutors Gaffney assaulted her again last weekend.

“She said after the first attack, she started having blood,” Huggins said. “Then, he struck her again this past weekend — he struck her and kicked her in the head, chest and abdomen.”

Huggins said when the woman went to the doctor, the unborn baby’s heartbeat couldn’t be found.

“They told her that her body was in the process of a miscarriage,” Huggins said. “So that’s what we’re filing.”

Gaffney’s sounding docket is set for 10 a.m. June 5. At that time, a date will be set for a preliminary hearing so that testimony will be given to determine if Gaffney should stand trial.

Huggins said Gaffney could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the assault charge.

“That’s a serious crime,” Huggins said. “It’s pretty offensive. I guess legislators thought the same thing, that’s why the penalty is so severe.”

Huggins said an assault on a pregnant woman known to be pregnant not resulting in miscarriage carries a possible penalty of a year in prison.

Reach Dylan Goforth at (918) 684-2903 or dgoforth@muskogeephoenix.com.

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