Sheriff: Man Stabs Pregnant Woman, Injuring Baby in Southern MO

ST. ROBERT, MO - A 30-year-old woman and her newborn baby are recovering in an Ozarks hospital after both were injured in a stabbing attack.

The Pulaski County Sheriff says the victim was in her ninth month of pregnancy during the Wednesday morning incident.

Sheriff Ron Long says the woman and a male acquaintance became involved in a domestic dispute in the parking lot of the Road Ranger Truck Stop at 22345 Hwy 28. That's when Mark A. Downing, 28, allegedly stabbed the pregnant woman in her stomach.

The woman was taken to a local hospital where the baby was delivered by c-section and also treated for a stab wound. Sheriff Long says at this time, both the mother and baby are recovering well.

Downing was arrested shortly after the incident occurred, after a brief altercation with deputies. He's currently being held in the Pulaski County Jail on two counts of First Degree Assault, and his bond has been set at $1 million.

(Courtesy Ozarks First)