Zappala: Investigators Make Progress In Pregnant Teen's Shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Allegheny County District Attorney Steve Zappala says investigators are making progress in the case of a pregnant teenager who survived a shooting but lost her unborn baby.
He says the gunman will faces charges in the death of an unborn child.
DaRae Delgado, 15, was seven months pregnant when she opened the door of her home in Duquesne just after midnight Monday.
She was shot four times after the person at the door concealed their identity.
The unborn baby boy apparently took the brunt of the gunfire, according to Delgado's mother.
"She felt when the gunshot hit him that he dropped in the bottom of her stomach, so like he basically saved her life," DeAnna Weems, Delgado's mother, said on Monday.
"This is a murder case," says Zappala, who explained the victim's term of pregnancy is not at issue.
"The statute that deals with this type of crime actually defines what an unborn child is. And it's from the time that a woman is fertilized until the time that she gives birth. So, it's basically from conception," he said.
He says the investigation has picked up steam.
"It's coming along rather well. There is a lot of evidence. We're optimistic we'll be making an arrest fairly quickly," he said.
Meanwhile, Weems says the family has established a memorial fund in honor of the child they planned to name Darren.
Delgado was in her seventh month of pregnancy when the gunman opened fire at her front door.
Weems says contributions to the Darren Crawford Memorial Fund can be made at any PNC Bank.
RELATED LINKS:
Pregnant Teen Loses Baby After Duquesne Shooting (5/26/14)
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