A western Pennsylvania man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges in the death of his pregnant girlfriend and her child.
Twenty-five-year-old Denver Blough is charged in Somerset County with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, attempted homicide and reckless endangerment. He was held without bail.
Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted of first-degree murder in the May 31 shooting death of 23-year-old Caressa Kovalcik, who was 8 months pregnant. Police said Blough also lived in the apartment along with the couple's 11-month-old son.
Authorities said she was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, where the baby was delivered by C-section and taken to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Hospital officials pronounced Kovalcik dead a short time later.
The child, a girl, was delivered, but she died three weeks later due to complications from the shooting.
Authorities said Blough said his 20-gauge shotgun accidentally discharged in the victim's face after he broke it in half during an argument.
Prosecutors also said the couple's 11-month-old son was standing only 6-feet from where his mother was shot.
