Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Dad charged with raping, assaulting pregnant wife, punching 9-month-old daughter (Jackson County, Mississippi)

Dad JASON D. VAUGHN is charged with raping and assaulting his pregnant wife, who was hospitalized as a result, and punching their 9-month-old daughter.

http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1561087.html

Husband faces felony rape, child abuse charges
By MARGARET BAKER

JACKSON COUNTY — A Jackson County man accused of assaulting his pregnant wife also is facing two additional charges, one for felony rape and the other for felony child abuse, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said.

Jason D. Vaughn, of the 16300 block of the Old River Road Loop, was arrested Sunday and charged with domestic violence aggravated assault in an alleged attack on his wife, who is 35 weeks pregnant and was hospitalized as a result of alleged beatings.

Vaughn was arrested shortly after officials at Ocean Springs Hospital called sheriff’s deputies Sunday night to report the woman’s injuries.

Vaughn’s wife told sheriff’s deputies her husband had beaten her several times, punching her in the stomach, face and head.

The woman said she wasn’t able to call for help right away because her husband wouldn’t allow it. She told investigators she would’ve gone to her neighbors for help but couldn’t because they were her husband’s relatives.

Sheriff Byrd said Vaughn was charged with felony rape for allegedly sexually assaulting his wife. In addition, he’s accused of punching the couple’s 9-month-old daughter.

Also investigating the child abuse allegations are officials with the state Department of Human Services. The couple’s child was turned over the care of her great-grandmother pending the mother’s recovery.

Vaughn remained jailed Tuesday in Jackson County.