News Summary
Rigoberto Vasquez-Barradas has been sentenced to seven years in prison for fetal homicide and domestic violence in Lexington, Kentucky. The incident involved a violent attack on his pregnant girlfriend, resulting in the loss of her fetus. Vasquez-Barradas pleaded guilty earlier this year, acknowledging his role in the assault that caused severe injuries and ultimately a miscarriage. This case highlights the critical issue of domestic violence and the legal protections for unborn children in Kentucky.
Lexington, Kentucky – Rigoberto Vasquez-Barradas has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to fetal homicide and domestic violence. The sentencing took place on Friday, following a violent incident that resulted in the tragic loss of his pregnant girlfriend’s fetus.
The court found that Vasquez-Barradas attacked his girlfriend, who was 18 weeks pregnant at the time, on January 20. Reports from law enforcement detail that Vasquez-Barradas repeatedly kicked the victim in the stomach and strangled her during the altercation, causing severe physical injury and trauma. The assault led to a miscarriage, confirmed by medical professionals as a direct consequence of the violence inflicted by Vasquez-Barradas.
Upon responding to a call from a local hospital regarding a domestic violence incident, emergency personnel discovered the victim suffering from serious injuries. Medical evaluations indicated that the placenta had separated from the mother’s abdominal wall, leading to fetal death. Despite Vasquez-Barradas denying the allegation of kicking the victim, he admitted to grabbing her during the incident, which escalated into a violent encounter.
In January, Vasquez-Barradas accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to fetal homicide in the third degree and second-degree assault under extreme emotional disturbance. The seven-year prison sentence was the recommended punishment within the plea agreement.
This case underscores the critical issues of domestic violence and the legal protections afforded to fetuses in Kentucky. The state’s laws aim to address the rights of unborn children, particularly in instances of violent crime against pregnant individuals. Domestic violence remains a significant concern in many communities, and cases like this bring attention to the urgent need for prevention and support services for affected victims.
As Vasquez-Barradas begins his prison term at the Fayette County Detention Center, the broader implications of this case may contribute to ongoing discussions about how to better protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant individuals, from domestic abuse and violence.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Lexington Man Sentenced for Fetal Homicide
- Wikipedia: Fetal homicide
- Lex18: Man Charged with Fetal Homicide
- Google Search: Fetal homicide Kentucky
- WKYT: Lexington Man Charged with Fetal Homicide
- Google Scholar: Fetal homicide
- WTVQ: Man Charged with Fetal Homicide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fetal homicide
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
