Man suspected of beating pregnant girlfriend, causing miscarriage

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police have arrested a man suspected of severely beating his 15-week pregnant girlfriend, causing her to suffer a miscarriage.

Timothy Trejo-Vigil, 25, of the 2400 block of Lester Avenue, is charged with a second-degree felony count of attempted murder; two counts of aggravated battery against a family member using a deadly weapon; two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm; and one count of injury to a pregnant woman. Trejo-Vigil also faces misdemeanor counts of battery against a household member and animal cruelty.

Police said they received a report at about 9 a.m. Thursday of an injured 22-year-old woman at a residence on Lester Avenue. Police said they learned the woman was Trejo-Vigil’s girlfriend of five years, and she lived there with Trejo-Vigil and his mother. The woman initially indicated she was attacked by two intruders who broke in through a window and tried to steal a TV and a laptop computer, police said.

The woman was transported to Memorial Medical Center and then airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso. Trejo-Vigil had left the home just prior to police being called, police said.

Investigators said the 22-year-old woman’s story of being attacked by intruders was a ruse conceived by her and Trejo-Vigil. They also learned that Trejo-Vigil was known to have a history of domestic abuse against the same woman.

LCPD investigators said that sometime Wednesday, the couple got into a physical domestic dispute where Trejo-Vigil struck the woman several times. Investigators believe Trejo-Vigil used a heavy metal pipe and possibly a broken broom handle to severely beat the woman. The victim also had several human bite marks to her body, and multiple stab wounds to her knees and arms, police said. She suffered a broken jaw, broken nose and a large open wound to her forehead.

At the UMC intensive care unit, medical professionals determined the woman was 15-weeks pregnant and had experienced a still-birth as a result of the physical trauma she suffered.

Police believe Trejo-Vigil’s mother was home most of the time but claimed she did not hear or know anything about the incident. Police also found a cat locked in a small pet carrier, inside a closet. The pet carrier was soaked in urine and the cat had no access to food or water.

Trejo-Vigil was located and arrested Friday afternoon. He’s being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.