A man in Bell County was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly attempted to kill a pregnant woman with an ax.

55 year old Donald Shaver of Middlesboro was arrested Saturday night when Bell County Deputies responded to a call concerning a domestic violence incident.

When deputies arrived on the scene at a home on Old Cross Road, they came in contact with the female victim who stated that Shaver placed his hand around her neck and knocked her backwards out of a chair, which caused the female to hit her head on the ground. Shaver then proceeded to strangle the woman but she managed to break free from him and get on her feet. 

The woman then told police that Shaver grabbed an ax and swung it at her stomach while she was 13 weeks pregnant with Shaver’s child.

Officials said that deputies found Shaver sitting in the back of a pickup truck that was located on the property and they said Shaver’s breath had a strong odor.

Shaver was arrested and charged with attempted murder-domestic violence, 2nd degree assault-domestic violence, 1st degree strangulation, 1st degree attempted fetal homicide, and 1st and 2nd degree public intoxication.