Pregnant Woman Miscarried After Purse Snatching, Prosecutor Says

Asbury Park, NJ - An attempted purse snatching in Asbury Park in January resulted in the two women struggling over the pocketbook — and ultimately caused the pregnant victim to miscarry, Monmouth County prosecutors say.

Margaret Vannell, 35, of Jackson Township tried to rob a pregnant woman in Asbury Park on Jan. 11, prosecutors say. She knocked the woman to the ground as she attempted to snatch her purse, and struggled with her over her pocketbook.

The incident caused the victim to miscarry her baby as a result, according to the criminal complaint, released Tuesday by the Monmouth County prosecutor’s office. She was six to eight weeks pregnant at the time, Patch has learned.

The victim will not be identified due to privacy concerns.

Vannell has been charged with aggravated assault with attempt to cause serious bodily injury. She was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and held on a $100,000 bail, with no percent option. She’s next due in court March 11.

Photo: By Nina Matthews - Flickr: head to head, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16118447