Woman Sues Claiming Courtroom Fight Caused Her To Lose Her Baby

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman has filed a lawsuit after she says a fight at a local Magistrate's Office caused her to lose her baby.

Late last year, Erica Sibley filed harassment charges against Shantay Richards. It stemmed from a personal relationship Sibley was involved in.

When the two showed up at the Magistrates office in Brackenridge, tensions mounted and according to police documents, Richards began to assault Sibley, who was three months pregnant at the time.

"As the defendant rose from her seat as she was leaving the courtroom she grabbed my client by the back of her hair, threw her to the ground, and kicked her in the stomach, knowing she was pregnant," said Sibley's lawyer Todd Hollis.

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Richards was charged with assault after the incident, but now Sibley is taking her to civil court, for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Sibley says she lost her unborn child after this incident.

"She suffered some bruises but the most damaging part is that she lost her child after she was assaulted in a courtroom. A courtroom that supposed to protect her," Hollis said.

Richards facing a hearing on the assault related charges, but in her suit filed today Sibley believes the emotional damage is far greater.

"She's scared. She's hurt. She's upset," Hollis said. "She wants justice."