Norristown Man Sentenced For Killing Unborn Baby While Beating Girlfriend

NORRISTOWN, PA — The Norristown man who police said kicked and strangled his pregnant girlfriend, killing their unborn baby, admitted to his actions and pleaded guilty to third degree murder.

Robert Wiley, 24, had originally been charged with first degree murder. As part of a plea agreement, he'll spend the next 25 to 50 years behind bars, according to court documents.

The incident occurred in the evening of Aug. 18, 2022 inside the couple's Powell Street home.

The victim, 26-year-old Selena Hernandez, was 21 weeks pregnant. She was sleeping when she woke up to Wiley "viciously" beating her in the face and stomach, saying he would "kill the baby," police said.

Wiley then strangled Hernandez until she passed out and when she woke up, he continued beating her, authorities said. He only stopped when other family members returned home.

DA Kevin Steele called the attack "the most horrific effect of domestic violence."

The unborn infant, named Naomi Hernandez, died the next day on Aug. 19.

Police discovered the incident after Hernandez went to Einstein Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Doctors there detected no heartbeat.

Police said Hernandez had gotten an ultrasound examination two weeks before the attack, and that the baby was healthy.

Originally, Wiley had been arrested and charged with aggravated assault in August, as the investigation was still ongoing. Montgomery County Coroner's office forensic pathologist Dr. Ian Hood examined the placenta and umbilical cord and determined that the cause of death was intrauterine fetal demise and placental trauma. Those conclusions, and further investigation by police, led to upgraded charges and the ultimate plea deal.