Police: Cape woman on bed rest assaulted, finds out next day of miscarriage

A pregnant Cape Girardeau woman placed on bed rest by her doctor was assaulted and found out she had a miscarriage the following day, according to a probable-cause statement filed by police in connection with the case.

Joseph Patrick Reagan, 43, of Cape Girardeau was arrested Tuesday and has been charged with felony domestic assault and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

Reagan called police Tuesday and reported a stabbing on Rivercrest Drive, according to the probable-cause statement filed by officer Brendon Whitlock of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Police arrived and saw the woman had a red abrasion on the right side of her neck and bruising on her right hip and chest, Whitlock wrote. The victim told police Reagan attacked her Monday after she asked him to help with their child, Whitlock wrote.

She was supposed to be on bed rest because she had been told she had a high chance for miscarriage, according to Whitlock’s statement.

Reagan grabbed her by the throat, slammed her into a table, then got on top of her and said he would knock her out, Whitlock wrote.

Reagan then left the residence, and the victim tried to lock the door, according to the statement.

Reagan broke the door open, grabbed their child and said the victim never would see their child again, Whitlock wrote.

Later on Monday, the victim was evaluated at Saint Francis Medical Center and told she had a miscarriage, according to the statement.

The next day, Reagan and the victim were together and had another argument, at which point Reagan called the police, Whitlock wrote.

Reagan was arrested due to the victim’s injuries and statements provided, according to the statement.

When Whitlock and another officer escorted Reagan to a vehicle, he flailed and kicked his legs, hitting Whitlock in the process, Whitlock wrote.

Reagan’s bond was set at $15,000 cash only, with the conditions he have no contact with the victim and stay at least 500 feet away from the victim’s residence and place of employment.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

Rivercrest Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.