Buena Woman Facing Manslaughter in Alleged Assault That Kills Daughter's Unborn Baby
Home where pregnant woman was kicked, killing unborn baby
A 49 year old Buena woman is facing manslaughter charges after allegedly kicking her pregnant daughter in the stomach-- killing the unborn baby. It's a case that's saddened neighbors and even seasoned detectives.
Dulce Villegas of Buena can't believe her neighbor 49 year old Querida Guerrero allegedly kicked her 22 year old pregnant daughter Helen Guerrero in the stomach-- killing Helen's unborn baby.
"Knowing that her daughter's pregnant, knowing how sentimental and how that could affect the baby," says Villegas.
Court documents reveal Guerrero allegedly said-- quote-- "I want to kill your baby." Neighbors heard shouting coming from the home, and documents also reveal a verbal fight quickly became physical.
After the assault, Helen went to the hospital, where doctors discovered her unborn son had a cracked skull-- and died. It's an unusual case police are calling heartbreaking.
"Very sad, unborn baby is completely helpless, a child anyway is completely helpless, especially when they haven't been born yet," says Sgt. Bill Splawn of the Yakima County Sheriff's Office.
Dulce Villegas wonders how Guerrero could allegedly hurt her daughter especially in her daughter's condition.
"She's a mom too I mean she was pregnant once," she says.
The Sheriff's Office says the suspect does have a criminal record, and they've arrested her for assault before. Authorities also say they've been to the house on Emerson Road before on a variety of calls.
Querida Guerrero was supposed to appear in court today, but didn't show up because she said she was sick. Prosecutors will try again tomorrow.
Her neighbors in Buena wonder if Guerrero feels any remorse for what's happened to her unborn grandson-- who was going to be named Victor.
"I hope she's regretting it, I mean it's a child, it was going to be her grandchild," says Villegas.
The judge set Querida Guerrero's bail at $1 million. Helen Guerrero is still in the hospital-- an autopsy on her unborn baby is scheduled for Saturday.