An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to a term of 37 years for the attempted murder of his pregnant girlfriend, a crime that left her critically injured and resulted in the loss of their unborn child. This grave sentence was handed down after Stephen Wieland, then 24, was found guilty of a series of charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery, and battery against a pregnant woman. The incident, which took place in February 2023, occurred in the presence of three young children at the couple's home near Fountain Square.
According to court documents reported by WISH-TV, the prosecution stated that Wieland shot his girlfriend following an altercation and subsequently lied to the authorities about the circumstances surrounding the injury. After the initial emergency response, Wieland claimed he had returned home to discover his partner with a gunshot wound, an account that was contradicted by witnesses, and later, his own admission. Neighbors reported hearing an argument prior to witnessing Wieland's vehicle leaving the premises.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a handgun hidden within a diaper bag, as well as 10mm rounds found on Wieland, which matched shell casings at the scene as detailed by CBS4 Indy. The traumatic event not only resulted in severe injuries to the mother, who suffered brain damage, but also the death of the baby she was carrying.
The repercussions of such violence ripple through the family, as highlighted by the Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, in a sentiment echoed by the children who, tragically, were witnesses to the domestic dispute and its devastating aftermath. "Intimate partner violence is real and happening far too frequently," Mears said in a statement presented by WTHR. He urged those in similar situations to seek help, acknowledging the support systems in place designed to provide assistance and compassion to the afflicted.
