Deputies: Dunedin Man Punches, Chokes Pregnant Woman

A Dunedin man is accused of battering a six-months pregnant woman, punching her in the face and choking her on April 21, authorities report.

After reportedly being out all night, Seth Emil Basham, 30, of the 1200 block of Royal Oak Drive, arrived at the residence where the pregnant woman was staying around 7 a.m. on April 21, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's arrest records.

The woman asked Basham where he was all night, which launched the two into an argument, according to arrest records.

During the course of the argument, Basham is accused of punching the woman in her right eye and mouth, choking her and kicking her in the left leg.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy William Short, who arrested Basham later that day around 10 p.m., reports that the victim's eye was black and swollen and that her lip was lacerated and swollen. He also saw bruising around her neck.

The victim also told Short that Basham battered her two days earlier, at which time she was punched in her left eye. Arrest records indicate that the deputy noticed bruising in that eye as well. 

Basham is charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, a felony. He was released on $20,000 bond on April 24.

[Last updated: Friday, April 26, 2013 at 10:55 a.m.]

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