Hatfield, Pennsylvania — A 36-year-old man is facing serious charges after allegedly attacking the mother of his unborn child in a violent incident that was caught on surveillance video. Raymond Bautista, of Allentown, has been charged with aggravated assault involving an unborn child, as well as additional counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.
The assault occurred early Thursday morning outside an apartment complex on Maple Avenue in Hatfield Township. According to authorities, the victim, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time, was leaving her building to go to work when Bautista approached her, masked and dressed entirely in black. He reportedly kicked her in the back, then continued to strike her in the abdomen and face as she screamed for help.
Witnesses reported being awakened by the victim’s cries, with one neighbor describing the attack as swift and terrifying. Additional surveillance footage captured Bautista fleeing the scene shortly thereafter, heading toward Maple Avenue.
The victim sustained several injuries, including fractures to her nasal bones and various cuts and bruises. When police arrived and questioned her, she indicated that Bautista, the father of her unborn child, might be responsible. Investigators learned that Bautista was aware of her pregnancy and had previously worked with her.
Following the incident, Bautista was located by police and provided his residential address in Allentown, along with details about his vehicle. A license plate reader positioned near the scene recorded his vehicle near the location just 20 minutes after the assault. A search of his car, conducted after obtaining a warrant, revealed a ski mask and gloves, items consistent with the gear used in the attack.
During a subsequent interview, Bautista claimed he had been asleep during the incident but could not explain the presence of his vehicle at the scene. Surveillance footage from his workplace showed him arriving in all black attire the day before the attack, further linking him to the incident.
In a later confession to investigators, Bautista acknowledged the assault, explaining that he acted out of anger towards the victim for allegedly speaking ill of him at work. Following his arrest, he was arraigned with bail set at $75,000, a figure that has drawn criticism from local law enforcement, who initially sought a much higher bail amount.
Hatfield’s police chief expressed frustration over the bail decision, emphasizing the brutality of the crime and advocating for a review of the bail amount to better reflect the seriousness of the assault. No legal representation for Bautista has been listed in court documents.
The preliminary hearing for Bautista is scheduled for May 7, 2025. Meanwhile, local authorities continue to stress the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to victims.