Charges held for man accused of beating pregnant woman
A Brownsville man who allegedly beat a pregnant woman and dragged her through the street was ordered to stand trial Tuesday.
Charles Geoffrey Douglas, 22, of Brownsville was arrested two days after the alleged attack on kidnapping and assault charges after a foot chase, according to police testimony.
The alleged victim, Samantha Kokay, was 20 weeks pregnant during the alleged assault Jan. 31. She testified she called Douglas, who is now her ex-boyfriend, and asked him to pick her up from a friends’ house. She said they began arguing about her phone because she would not give it to him.
She testified she covered her head and he began punching her. She later got out of the car and ran down the street in Brownsville where he allegedly grabbed her by the feet and dragged her 10 to 20 feet. He also allegedly stomped her and kicked her in the stomach and torso.
Kokay escaped him and ran down Bank Street, hiding behind the bank building, she said. She woke up early in the morning and walked to her grandfather’s house. She testified she later went to the hospital and was treated for a collapsed lung. She was then transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital by medical helicopter, she said.
State police Trooper Nathaniel Lieberum said he interviewed Kokay at the hospital and then went to Douglas’ address. He said no one answered the door and he obtained a search warrant, but Douglas was not home.
He said on Feb. 2, he was on surveillance on Douglas’ street when he saw the suspect walk into the house. After a brief foot chase throughout the borough, Douglas was arrested.
Douglas is charged with aggravated assault, kidnap, unlawful restraint, simple assault and reckless endangerment in the alleged attack. On the day of his arrest, he was charged with flight, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
All charges were held for the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas.
He is lodged in Fayette County Prison in lieu of a $30,000 bond in the first case and a $5,000 bond in the second case.