Man Charged with Murder of Unborn Child
By: Ryan Robertson
Updated: February 24, 2012
At around 6:45 Thursday evening, deputies with the Montague County Sheriff's Office responded to a trailer in the 300 block of Pine Road in the Oak Shores area in Montague County.
Sheriff Paul Cunnigham said 22-year-old Courtney Quintana was beaten by the father of her unborn child, 30-year-old Michael Lee Cunningham.
"They had been together during the day," explained Sheriff Cunningham, "and on the way back to the home, from what we're understanding, an argument ensued and it escalated to the point where she was assaulted."
Quintana was taken by ambulance to the hospital, however her child did not survive.
Information on her condition and injuries has not been released.
"She did lose the baby during the night," said Sheriff Cunningham, "I don't know what time, but it was later in the night."
Sheriff Cunningham said the suspect, Michael Lee Cunningham, was spotted on a public road shortly after 11pm, and then led deputies on a brief pursuit to his residence, where he was arrested.
Because of that pursuit, Sheriff Cunningham said Michael Lee Cunningham faces several additional charges on top of the murder charge.
"When he was arrested last night," said Sheriff Cunningham, "he was charged with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest-evading detention."
Sheriff Cunningham said this wasn't the first time his deputies have had to deal with the suspect, who has a history of violence.
"We have answered several calls at his residence for family violence," said Sheriff Cunningham.
Sheriff Cunningham acknowledged no murder investigation is ever easy, but he said this case is more difficult to deal with.
"It's sad when you lose an unborn child that never had a chance."
Sheriff Cunningham said the Texas Rangers and the District Attorney's office have been contacted to help investigate the case.
Michael Lee Cunningham is currently in the Montague County Jail awaiting arraignment.
Cunningham's previous convictions include a family violence charge in 2001 in Fort Worth, resisting arrest and drug and DWI charges.
Sheriff Paul Cunnigham said 22-year-old Courtney Quintana was beaten by the father of her unborn child, 30-year-old Michael Lee Cunningham.
"They had been together during the day," explained Sheriff Cunningham, "and on the way back to the home, from what we're understanding, an argument ensued and it escalated to the point where she was assaulted."
Quintana was taken by ambulance to the hospital, however her child did not survive.
Information on her condition and injuries has not been released.
"She did lose the baby during the night," said Sheriff Cunningham, "I don't know what time, but it was later in the night."
Sheriff Cunningham said the suspect, Michael Lee Cunningham, was spotted on a public road shortly after 11pm, and then led deputies on a brief pursuit to his residence, where he was arrested.
Because of that pursuit, Sheriff Cunningham said Michael Lee Cunningham faces several additional charges on top of the murder charge.
"When he was arrested last night," said Sheriff Cunningham, "he was charged with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest-evading detention."
Sheriff Cunningham said this wasn't the first time his deputies have had to deal with the suspect, who has a history of violence.
"We have answered several calls at his residence for family violence," said Sheriff Cunningham.
Sheriff Cunningham acknowledged no murder investigation is ever easy, but he said this case is more difficult to deal with.
"It's sad when you lose an unborn child that never had a chance."
Sheriff Cunningham said the Texas Rangers and the District Attorney's office have been contacted to help investigate the case.
Michael Lee Cunningham is currently in the Montague County Jail awaiting arraignment.
Cunningham's previous convictions include a family violence charge in 2001 in Fort Worth, resisting arrest and drug and DWI charges.
