A Buffalo man is accused of beating a pregnant woman to try to make her lose her baby. Counselors who help victims like this say unfortunately, it happens more often then you may think.

At 1:15 in the morning a pregnant woman is beaten in her apartment on Hickory Street. Police say the suspect, who's apparently the baby's father, repeatedly punched the woman in her body, face and head. He reportedly told her he was going to "make her lose that baby."

There are no details tonight about the condition of the 21 year old woman and her fetus...but experts say unfortunately this kind of violence happens often. "What we find is women that are involved in violent relationships are even more vulnerable when they are pregnant," said Robyn Wiktorski-Reynolds, coordinator of the Advocate Program at Crisis Services in Buffalo. "The abuser really uses that against her and knows that it's something incredibly important to her, her child, her pregnancy."

In some cases, women are random victims. In Buffalo, a school bus aide suffered a miscarriage earlier this month after being assaulted on the way to the Stanley Falk School. Last May, an 18 year old woman lost her baby after being attacked while waiting for a bus at Fillmore and East Utica.

Many cases cases have gained national attention including the murder of Laci Peterson, the pregnant California woman who was killed by her husband. Scott Peterson is now on death row. Last month, former Ohio police officer Bobbie Cutts, Junior was sentenced to nearly 60 years in prison for killing his pregnant lover and their baby.

Wiktorski-Reynolds says it's important for pregnant women who are fearful to reach out for help. "Often times these women are alienated family, friends even from co-workers."

Buffalo Police say their investigation into this morning's assault continues, so far no one has been arrested.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, some 324,000 pregnant women are hurt every year by an intimate partner or former partner. And a study a few years ago that found homicide was a leading cause of death among pregnant women.

Crisis Services can be reached by calling 834-3131.