An Arizona man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for a brutal assault on his wife intended to force an abortion, highlighting the seriousness of domestic violence cases.

Joseph Noecker, 43, received a 10-year prison sentence for attempted second-degree murder, according to a statement from the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office. After serving his prison term, Noecker will be subject to seven years of supervised probation for the charge of kidnapping.

In late October 2024, Noecker and his wife were anticipating the arrival of their unborn child. The couple had recently learned from a medical appointment that she was approximately nine weeks pregnant, and both were reportedly excited about becoming parents, authorities disclosed.

However, the situation took a drastic turn shortly thereafter.

The couple began arguing in the days following the pregnancy news. Prosecutors revealed that during one of these altercations, Noecker’s anger escalated to violence. He allegedly threatened to induce an abortion himself and proceeded to restrain his wife while repeatedly stomping on her abdomen.

The woman was transported to the hospital, but the unborn baby was dead.

According to the DA’s office, however, investigators could not determine an exact time when the pregnancy ended. They were “unable to determine” whether the unborn baby died due to Noecker’s attack or a miscarriage that took place previously. The defendant was handed the attempted murder charge “as he believed the baby was alive at the time of the crime,” and charged with kidnapping “for restraining his wife during the attack.”

Authorities noted that Arizona law “protects an unborn baby at any stage of development with the same penalties as any young child victim.”

Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane said in a statement that Noecker’s “selfish decision to violently terminate his partner’s pregnancy is chilling.”

He added: “I hope the prison sentence imposed in this case will send a message that violent crime has no place in Yavapai County.”

Noecker will spend his 10-year sentence in the Arizona State Prison.