PUNXSUTAWNEY BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — Police say a Punxsutawney man was arrested for reportedly assaulting a pregnant woman during a domestic incident in Punxsutawney Borough on Thursday evening.
Court documents indicate the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 24-year-old Joshua L. Hamil, of Punxsutawney, in District Judge Jacqueline Mizerock’s office on Friday, August 23.
According to a criminal complaint, the Punxsutawney Borough Police Department received a call around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, regarding a disturbance at a residence on Foundry Street, in Punxsutawney Borough, Jefferson County.
The victim told police that Joshua Hamil was being verbally abusive towards her and struck her with a shoe during an altercation, the complaint states.
The victim reported Hamil fled the area and is wearing a neon green shirt, the complaint indicates.
According to the complaint, in a further interview with police, the victim explained she was pregnant with Hamil’s child, and he started becoming verbally abusive over the past week or so. During a dispute on August 22, the victim said Hamil became angry and very loud. She continued that the dispute escalated and Hamil told her that “he hopes she has a miscarriage, and she did not deserve to carry his child.”
The complaint notes that Hamil then threw a shoe at the victim, striking her on the right side of the stomach.
The victim reported she was 24 weeks pregnant, the complaint continues.
After the assault, the victim attempted to leave the apartment, but Hamil blocked her exit. She said she “tapped” Hamil on the forehead to get him to back away. She also related she was afraid for herself and her unborn child, and feared that Hamil would continue to get angrier, the complaint states.
Hamil was arraigned at 9:10 a.m. on Friday, August 23, in front of Judge Mizerock on the following charges:
- Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
- Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
He was released on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 5 at 9:45 a.m. with Judge Mizerock presiding.