Crime & Safety
Online Fundraiser Set Up for Woman Allegedly Tortured By Husband
Prosper Ortega's family says she was held hostage and severely beaten by her husband after giving birth to their son.
Atlanta, GA -- A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with the medical expenses of a woman allegedly tortured for days by her husband after giving birth to their son.
Prosper Ortega, 23, is at Grady Memorial Hospital, recovering from severe injuries. Her husband, Aaron Uchitel is in jail and facing charges of aggravated battery, cruelty to children and false imprisonment.
Ortega gave birth to the couple's son a couple of weeks ago, according to the online fundraiser's website. Fox5 Atlanta is reporting that Ortega's mother, Fawn Ortega, went to check on her daughter and grandson, when Uchitel refused to let her into the couple's southwest Atlanta home.
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After fighting her way into the home, Fawn Ortega saw her daughter's battered and swollen face.
“He was jabbing at her eyes, jabbing at her eyes so she couldn’t see the baby, and he cut her hair off and said, ‘I’m going to make it so where nobody will ever want you again,’” Fawn Ortega told Channel 2.
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Police say Prosper Ortega attempted to escape at some point, but Uchitel pulled her back into the home.
"In addition to repeatedly beating her, [Uchitel] poured water in her ears, tried to poke her eyes out, broke her ribs and jaw (she has multiple fractures in her face) and attempted to tear out her teeth, shredding the roof of her mouth and tongue in the process," the GoFundMe page said. "She broke a window to run away but he caught her so he tied her to the bed and cut off all her hair. He drugged her, raped her, stabbed her and bashed her head with a bottle then he strangled her to near death.
"If her mother hadn't arrived when she did and fought him to get to her, Prosper would be dead as her lungs were collapsing as she was put onto the ambulance."
The campaign said its goal is to raise enough money to support the mother and son when she is released from the hospital.
"Domestic violence is real," it said. "Please don't ignore the signs!! If you are in an abusive relationship LEAVE while you can. Staying is never the better options especially if kids are involved. Everyone always thinks it'll never happen to them. Think again!"
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