Fetal-abduction suspect could face assault charge

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman already charged with killing a pregnant woman and her unborn baby could now face an assault charge as well.

Milwaukee County authorities say 33-year-old Annette Morales-Rodriguez attacked a prison guard Monday night, leading to a one-on-one scuffle that lasted a full seven minutes. The guard suffered minor scrapes.

Sheriff David Clarke says Morales-Rodriguez used a piece of a discarded milk carton to prevent her cell door from closing completely. He says when a guard checked the door the inmate attacked her, throwing the guard’s radio out of reach so she couldn’t call for help.

Clarke declined to speculate on a motive. He adds that an assault charge doesn’t matter to someone already facing a life sentence.

A message left with Morales-Rodriguez’s attorney wasn’t immediately returned.