Bail for suspect in attack on pregnant woman in Hatfield raised to $500,000
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- The bail for the suspect in a violent attack on a pregnant woman in Montgomery County was increased dramatically on Wednesday morning.
Raymond Bautista, 36, was in court as bail was raised to $500,000. He was seen being taken out of the Norristown courtroom in handcuffs.
Bautista, a resident of Allentown, is accused of violently attacking the victim as she left her Hatfield Township apartment early last Thursday morning.
Bail was originally set at $75,000 unsecured, but was raised after the district attorney's office filed an emergency motion to increase that bail because of the violent nature of the attack.
The unsecured bond meant that Bautista didn't have to pay anything to get out.
"That was inappropriate given the nature and circumstances of the case. It was insufficient to ensure the safety of her and her unborn child," said Asst. D.A. Bradley Deckel.
Investigators were stunned by the original amount.
"Something I believe is wrong happened, and it was corrected today. And this is where her justice begins today," said Hatfield Chief of Police William Tierney.
According to court documents, police tracked Bautista's car to the area with license plate readers and say when officers found him at his home in Allentown, the same clothes used in the attack were in his car.
Investigators say he later admitted his involvement.
The victim told police that Bautista is the father of the unborn baby, according to the criminal complaint, and said he doesn't want to be involved in the child's life.
She feared for her life after he got out of jail on an unsecured bond Tuesday.
"I will tell you it was kind of harrowing having to go to her home and remove her again. It was kind of like being victimized all over again. But she's safe at this point," said Tierney.
Bautista is facing a number of charges, including aggravated assault of an unborn child.
Authorities say Bautista knew the victim was pregnant, and has admitted to the attack.
