October 13, 2008


Illegal immigrant suspected of attacking pregnant woman

By MARK BELL
GANNETT TENNESSEE

MURFREESBORO — An illegal immigrant was arrested Sunday morning at Holiday Inn Express after she attacked a pregnant woman who she believed was having an affair with her husband, Murfreesboro Police reported.

Authorities arrested Patricia Cortez and charged her with the aggravated assault of Miriam Madina-Moreno, who was believed to be two months pregnant, just after 10 a.m., according to reporting officer Brandon Brown.

According to his report, Cortez cut the pregnant woman with scissors and kicked her repeatedly in the stomach after she found out the woman was having an affair with her husband.

Madina-Moreno, 21, who is a legal resident of Murfreesboro, was transported to Middle Tennessee Medical Center immediately following the attack.

Cortez was booked into the Rutherford County jail, where booking officers later discovered she was not a legal resident of the United States. Immigration was notified, according to the report, and a hold was placed on Cortez.

Assistant District Attorney Paul Newman was later contacted in reference to the victim being 2 months pregnant and the “assault possibly causing injuries to the fetus,â€