Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, March 28
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Public Safety»Eden Prairie man charged with multiple felonies for assault on woman, unborn twins
    Public Safety

    Eden Prairie man charged with multiple felonies for assault on woman, unborn twins

    By Jim BayerAugust 1, 2022Updated:August 6, 20222 Mins Read
    Eden Prairie police logo

    An Eden Prairie man has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with four counts of assault, including two on unborn twins born prematurely after a June 30 incident.

    Donatus Ray Harrell, 41, was arrested July 27 and is charged with first-degree assault causing great bodily harm and domestic assault by strangulation of his girlfriend, and two counts of first-degree assault of an unborn child resulting from assault on a pregnant woman.

    According to the police complaint:

    Police responded to a report of domestic assault at an Eden Prairie address early on June 30. Harrell’s girlfriend of eight years told officers that he had assaulted her by strangling her, knocking her to the ground and jumping on and striking her stomach after she had fallen to the ground. She told officers that she was 24 weeks pregnant with twins and was experiencing stomach pain and cramping.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    Police called paramedics to evaluate the victim who was transported to the hospital where she was held for observation. The next day she was evaluated by an obstetrician who ordered an ultrasound procedure. The ultrasound technician realized that the victim was in labor and close to delivery. An obstetric nurse confirmed that observation.

    Doctors performed an emergency cesarean section to deliver her premature sons. They were born at 3:12 and 3:13 p.m., respectively, on June 30.

    The two infants were critically ill, intubated and transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit. The babies required life-support medical intervention and remain hospitalized on ventilators.

    Harrell, who is custody in lieu of $200,000 bail, has previous convictions for felony domestic violence-related offenses in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, according to the complaint. He also been the subject of at least three prior orders for protection on behalf of women other than the June 30 victim.

    Arrest records from Illinois reflect at least four prior arrests for battery, aggravated battery, aggravated battery with a weapon, domestic battery, and stalking, the complaint said.

    If convicted, Harrell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years and/or a $30,000 fine for the first-degree assault charge, three years and/or a $5,000 fine for the assault by strangulation, and 15 years and/or a $30,000 fine for each of the unborn child assault charges.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleYouth EP baseball team plays Cinderella, wins league championship
    Next Article Eating al fresco: Local patios for outdoor dining

    More to READ

    1 Min Read

    Police arrest suspect in connection to theft, gun possession

    March 27, 2023
    1 Min Read

    EP man seriously injured in Stearns County crash

    March 23, 2023
    3 Mins Read

    City eyes larger space for police

    March 22, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Police arrest suspect in connection to theft, gun possession

    March 27, 2023

    EP-based running club stays active all year long

    March 27, 2023

    EPHS names O’Leary as new head dance team coach

    March 27, 2023

    Standing with Ukraine in MN

    March 27, 2023

    Celebrating everyday heroes: Read three winning essays from the EP Optimist Club contest

    March 26, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.