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CROWN POINT — A 35-year-old man is alleged to have kicked and punched his pregnant girlfriend last week at the couple's apartment in Merrillville.

The girlfriend, who was in the first trimester of pregnancy with quadruplets, lost three of the fetuses as a result of the incident, according to a probable cause affidavit.

James E. McGhee Jr. was charged Monday in Lake Criminal Court with three counts of felony battery, two counts of criminal confinement and intimidation.

Merrillville police were dispatched Feb. 20 to the 7000 block of Broadway after receiving reports of the incident, the affidavit states.

The girlfriend told police she informed McGhee at 11 a.m. that morning she wanted to move out of the couple's apartment in the 2800 block of West 63rd Lane, the affidavit states.

She said McGhee grabbed a kitchen knife, put it to her throat and threatened to kill her, according to the affidavit.

She said McGhee then kicked her in the stomach, which knocked her to the floor, and proceeded to kick and punch her in the face, stomach and legs, the affidavit states.