Suspect of Spousal Abuse Held as Police Probe Death of Unborn Child
A 28-year-old man was being held without bail Sunday as authorities investigated allegations that he beat his wife and contributed to the death of their unborn child.
Jose Cervantes was arrested Friday on an outstanding felony spouse abuse warrant at an apartment building in the 14600 block of Rayen Street in Panorama City.
Cervantes’ wife, Lilia Prado, 25, was nine months pregnant when she underwent an emergency caesarean section at Northridge Hospital on Thursday. The child was stillborn.
After being called to the hospital, Los Angeles police began an investigation into whether Jose Cervantes, who police said has a history of domestic violence against Prado, beat his wife before she arrived at the hospital.
Cervantes was being held as investigators await the results of an autopsy of the child to determine a cause of death.
Prado was in critical but stable condition at the hospital, police said. Hospital officials declined to comment.
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