A Georgia man has been sentenced after prosecutors said he shot his pregnant girlfriend in the head because he did not want her to have the baby. The shocking case began in 2023 and ended with a guilty verdict in 2026 after investigators uncovered evidence showing the attack was allegedly planned to kill the unborn child.
The victim survived the horrifying shooting but reportedly woke up from a medically induced coma with no memory of the attack. Doctors were forced to perform an emergency C-section to save her baby after the shooting left both mother and child fighting for their lives.
Pregnant Woman Found Shot Near Walking Trail
According to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, police responded to a 911 call around 7 a.m. in March 2023 after someone reported finding an unresponsive woman near a walking trail at Chapel Hill Park in Decatur, Georgia.
Emergency responders discovered the visibly pregnant woman lying in the fetal position with a gunshot wound to the back of her head. Although she was alive, authorities said she was unable to communicate when help arrived.
Doctors later placed the woman into a medically induced coma because of the seriousness of her injuries.
Family members quickly told investigators they suspected the victim’s boyfriend, 27-year-old Donald Wooten, may have been responsible for the attack.
Investigators Say Motive Was Pregnancy
Court documents obtained during the investigation revealed disturbing details about the alleged motive behind the shooting.
According to an arrest affidavit, Wooten reportedly admitted during questioning that he did not want the victim to continue the pregnancy. Prosecutors said investigators believed his goal was to kill the unborn child by shooting the woman in the head.
As a result of the attack, doctors had to perform an emergency C-section in an effort to save the baby’s life.
The case later led to charges including attempted murder, criminal attempt to commit feticide, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Donald Wooten Changed His Story Multiple Times
Authorities said Wooten initially gave investigators a different version of events. He reportedly claimed that he and the victim had gone to see a movie before separating afterward.
Although investigators confirmed through receipts that the pair did attend a movie together, police later discovered problems with Wooten’s alibi.
According to reports, Wooten claimed he was with another person during the time of the shooting. However, that person allegedly told investigators they did not know him at all.
Two months after the shooting, investigators were finally able to interview the victim at the hospital. She reportedly remembered being at the park with Wooten late that night but could not remember the actual shooting.
After additional questioning, police arrested Wooten without incident.
Police Found Incriminating Messages
Investigators later recovered messages from Wooten’s phone that prosecutors said helped strengthen the case against him.
According to the district attorney’s office, text messages showed the couple had been arguing about the pregnancy and their future together.
Authorities also said Wooten attempted to have family members wipe data from his phone after his arrest. However, investigators managed to recover important evidence before the information disappeared.
Prosecutors said messages sent after the shooting included requests for someone to retrieve a gun and bullets from his apartment. Other messages allegedly reminded people to tell police they had been with him on the night of the attack.
Jury Found Wooten Guilty
In April 2026, a jury found Donald Wooten guilty of attempted murder, criminal attempt to commit feticide, and firearm-related charges connected to the shooting.
The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office later announced his sentencing on May 14, 2026.
Officials said the case highlighted the extreme dangers some women face during pregnancy, especially in abusive relationships where violence can escalate quickly.
Case Raises Awareness About Domestic Violence During Pregnancy
The shocking attack has also renewed conversations about domestic violence during pregnancy and the risks faced by women in abusive situations.
Advocates often warn that pregnancy can sometimes increase tension and control in violent relationships, making it an especially vulnerable period for many women.
Support organizations continue encouraging victims experiencing threats or abuse during pregnancy to seek help from trusted family members, shelters, counselors, or law enforcement agencies.
The survival of both the mother and baby in this case has been described by many as remarkable given the severity of the attack.
