Pregnant Paramedic Assaulted, OKC Police Rule Case Homicide

A man arrested in the assault of a pregnant paramedic now faces homicide charges.

Police say Ronald Paul Heatly, 58, assaulted Joanna Hickerson, causing the death of her unborn child.

Oklahoma City police first arrested Heatly on assault and battery charges. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, December 18 when Hickerson and her husband Timothy Hickerson, both paramedics with EMSA, were called to 2400 N. May regarding a man needing medical attention. That man was Heatly.

The Hickersons arrived on scene and took Heatly to the back of the ambulance. Police say that's when Heatly assaulted Joanna Hickerson, by kicking and kneeing her in the abdomen. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.

On Friday, January 18, Hickerson miscarried the baby. According to police, the Medical Examiner's Office ruled the miscarriage occurred as a result of the assault. The case is now ruled a homicide.

The Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office will determine what charges, if any, are appropriate.