In Wisconsin, authorities have detained a 38-year-old woman following an alleged ambush and attack on a pregnant woman outside her workplace earlier this month.
The suspect, Marielle Barrios, faces charges including armed robbery with the use of force, substantial battery, and attempted aggravated battery against an unborn child, according to a report by WISN.
The incident involving Gheonna Lacy was captured by a doorbell camera, CrimeOnline previously reported. Lacy, who had just completed her overnight shift at a group home, stepped out to warm up her vehicle around 7 a.m. on January 15. Footage revealed two hooded individuals, one wielding a baseball bat, running towards her, followed by the sounds of her screams and the bat’s blows.
Lacy recounted the harrowing moment, stating that the attackers “immediately knocked me to the ground, started swinging the bat, and stomping me with their feet.”
She identified Barrios as one of the attackers, claiming to recognize her as someone who had been stalking her due to a personal dispute.
Further details from a criminal complaint against Barrios suggest a deeper motive, as reported by WISN. The complaint alleges that the father of Lacy’s unborn child is Barrios’s boyfriend, and during the assault, Barrios was reportedly heard saying, “Beat the baby out” and “kill the baby.”
Barrios went through Lacy’s pockets and took two cell phones, one of which belonged to her boss, during the attack, the complaint says.
Lacy said she recognized Barrios because a face mask she was wearing fell down during the attack, WDJT reported.
Prosecutors said that police officers saw a visible bruise on Lacy’s stomach “consistent with a shoe impression.”
The day after the beating, Barrios dropped off a statement at the police department calling Lacy’s statement false. She was arrested on January 23, and another woman, Melvina Lewis, was also arrested on a single count of harboring a fugitive.
Both Barrios and Lewis were arrested by Arkansas State Police and returned to Wisconsin, jail records show.
Racine police are still looking for the second attacker. Lacy said she believes it was a man because of body shape. The second attacker said nothing during the attack.
