Miscarriage results in murder indictment

4/15/2005

A Sandusky County man was indicted yesterday by a Lucas County grand jury for allegedly killing the 10-week-old fetus of his pregnant ex-girlfriend during a beating and sexual assault Monday at her Springfield Township apartment.

Gregario M. Garcia, whose ex-girlfriend suffered a miscarriage of her fetus that same day, was indicted on one count each of aggravated murder, rape, and aggravated burglary.

If convicted, Mr. Garcia faces a maximum punishment of life in prison for the aggravated murder, 10 years each on the other charges, and would be eligible for parole in 40 years.

Mr. Garcia, 23, of Green Springs, Ohio, also was indicted on two lesser charges of murder. He is being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $600,000 bond.

The 25-year-old victim was attacked at her West Bancroft Street apartment after Mr. Garcia forced his way into her home, punched her several times in the stomach reportedly telling her that she didn't deserve to have his child, and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

The woman - whose two children, ages 1 and 5, were in the home at the time - suffered vaginal bleeding. She was allowed to go into the bathroom, where she used her cell phone to call a friend's mother, who reported the incident to police. The friend arrived and took the victim to Flower Hospital, where she miscarried in the emergency room.