Man charged with assaulting woman, murdering her unborn baby

Published 10:51 am Tuesday, November 28, 2023

SALISBURY — A man previously charged with breaking into an ex-girlfriend’s home and assaulting her boyfriend has now been charged with murder of an unborn child after police say he assaulted her as well.

The baby was born on Nov. 14 and lived for almost 12 hours before succumbing to injuries sustained in the assault, according to a spokesperson for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The man allegedly assaulted the mother after an argument in her home, according to the spokesperson. The two had previously been in a relationship.

The mother went to the hospital a few days after the assault and gave birth to the baby 24 weeks prematurely. An autopsy was performed and the medical examiner determined that in addition to the mother’s injuries being consistent with assault, the baby had injuries to his liver, brain, heart and lungs. The death was ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma from an assault.

Detectives reportedly gathered evidence and charged Raymond Jerrel Callicutt, 42, with felony murder of an unborn child. Callicutt had previously been arrested for allegedly breaking into the mother’s home on Nov. 14. Deputies said that Callicutt broke into the home, assaulted the victim’s boyfriend and then broke a few windows before running out. Callicutt had also previously threatened the victim, saying that her “well pump might go out,” and that the “wind might pick up and blow their windows out.”

Callicutt was arrested and placed in the Rowan County Detention Center. He is being held without bond.