http://rnews.com/TopStory_2004.cfm?cmd= ... ry_type=18

The Wayne County District Attorney's Office will decide Thursday whether an illegal immigrant from Mexico will face more serious charges in connection with the death of a newborn baby.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of the infant after an assault on the baby's mother.

Authorities say Juan Martinez, 28, assaulted his girlfriend, Angelica Ponce-Ramirez last week, causing her to go into premature labor.

Ponce-Ramirez delivered a baby girl at Strong Hospital Tuesday. The baby died about an hour later.

D.A. Rick Healy says Martinez kneed Ponce-Ramirez in the stomach at least five times and beat her leg with an extension cord.

Healy says the assault stemmed from an argument in which Martinez claimed he wasn't the baby's father.

"This is really a troubling case," Healy said. "The allegation is at least on the charge, it appears he intentionally assaulted her for the purpose of her losing the baby or the baby dying. It appears that way from the allegation that he struck her with his knee multiple times in her stomach. Being 28 weeks, that was his intent. It appears that way."

Investigators are working with the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office to determine the infant's cause of death.

Martinez is currently charged with assault. He is in the Wayne County Jail being held without bail.