PRESCOTT, Ariz. (TCN) — A man has been sentenced to prison in connection with an attack on his wife that reportedly killed their unborn child.
Justin Noecker, 43, was sentenced Dec. 15 to 10 years in prison for attempted second-degree murder of the unborn baby, followed by seven years of probation for kidnapping, according to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office.
In October 2024, Noecker’s wife, who has not been named, learned she was about nine weeks pregnant. According to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office, the couple was reportedly excited about having a baby.
A few days after the pregnancy was confirmed, Noecker and his wife got into an argument. Noecker then allegedly told his wife he would give her an abortion. He then repeatedly stomped on her abdomen several times while restraining her, per the attorney’s office.
KNXV reports the woman called police and then went to the hospital, where she learned the baby did not survive.
Doctors could not determine whether the unborn child died in a miscarriage before or after the attack. Noecker was charged with attempted murder because authorities believed the child was alive at the time of the attack, according to KSAZ.
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