West Valley City police say a 20-year-old man is behind bars after he allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted his pregnant girlfriend, then held her in a car in a restaurant parking lot while the attack continued.
Authorities said the woman was taken to a local hospital, where staff later confirmed she was about three months pregnant.
The man was arrested Sunday on multiple counts, including aggravated kidnapping, forcible sexual abuse, aggravated assault, and several domestic violence charges, according to ABC4. Court documents reviewed by the station state that the man and a relative forced the woman into a vehicle and kept assaulting her as she struggled.
Investigators say security video shows the suspect pushing and choking the woman before forcing her into the back of a car. Witnesses also recorded footage that officers later used in the investigation, according to the documents.
Police say the violence started at the couple’s home and escalated once they were on the road. The woman was then allegedly held inside a vehicle in a restaurant parking lot while the assault continued.
Utah Highway Patrol troopers eventually located the vehicle and detained three people inside, ABC4 reported. The suspect was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. Authorities are withholding his name to help protect the victim while prosecutors review the case.
What the charges mean
Under Utah law, aggravated kidnapping can be charged as a first-degree felony when certain conditions are met in the course of a kidnapping, and it can carry lengthy prison terms. Forcible sexual abuse is generally a second-degree felony, with steeper penalties if aggravating factors apply. The statutes outlining these crimes and their potential punishment are found in Utah Code § 76-5-302 on aggravated kidnapping and § 76-5-404 on forcible sexual abuse.
Investigators say court papers also list an assault charge that is enhanced because the victim is pregnant, as well as three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child. The case is expected to be forwarded to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for screening, and the suspect remains in custody while the investigation continues.
