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Butler County man accused of assaulting pregnant woman twice within hours

Man accused of hitting and strangling pregnant woman
Man accused of hitting and strangling pregnant woman 00:24

BUTLER, Pa. (KDKA) — A Butler County man is accused of hitting and strangling a pregnant woman twice in one day.

Butler City police said officers responded to a domestic dispute on Kaufman Drive on Thursday around 2:30 a.m. Police talked to the victim, who said Jamel Barnes assaulted her. 

The man was taken to Butler County Prison and charged with strangulation, simple assault and resisting arrest. 

After he was arraigned, he was released with an unsecured bond. Police said he returned to the home on Kaufman Drive, forced his way inside, hit the woman — who is nine months pregnant — in the face and strangled her. 

Police said while attacking the woman, he said, "I'm gonna kill you," and "I hope you and the baby die." 

The woman escaped the home and went to the police station. Later, Barnes was arrested again. He is now charged with burglary, strangulation, intimidation of a witness, simple assault, and terroristic threats. He is back in the prison. 

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