The police report describes how an elevator security camera captured 20-year-old Dino Scott mugging for the camera, then kicking and punching his girlfriend until she appeared to be unconscious on Jan. 28. The woman, who was 12-weeks pregnant, miscarried as a result of her injuries.

“This woman’s unborn baby was 12 weeks old, which means he or she had a heartbeat, brain waves, fingers, toes, ears and a skeleton, and all internal organs were functioning.  Her baby could squint, swallow and suck a thumb,” said Bill Poehler, communications associate with Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. “This was undeniably a human life, and it is criminal to kill such a child in Minnesota—except by abortion.”

Minnesota law allows a person to be charged in the death of a preborn child, though such cases have not been commonly prosecuted.

Kyle Christopherson, communications specialist for the Minnesota Supreme Court, said 12 people have been charged with either attempted murder or manslaughter of a child in the womb since 1999—but only half were convicted. Minnesota law states that a pregnancy terminated through the execution of another felony is subject to a separate criminal charge.

“Minnesota law rightly recognizes that an unborn child at every stage of development is a human life worthy of protection,” Poehler said. “It also acknowledges that violence committed against a woman and an unborn child is equally grievous and intolerable.”

Additional reporting by Bryan Malley.