BELDING, Mich. — A Belding police officer has been terminated after an off-duty altercation in Grattan that resulted in a pregnant woman being punched in the stomach.
Belding City Manager Meg Mullendore announced Monday that an officer was terminated Oct. 23 after an investigation into the incident. Victims involved in the altercation have identified that officer as Jason Cooper.
The fight happened Oct. 11 outside the Grattan Irish Pub, 1817 Old Belding Rd. NE. Belding woman Ashley Geldersma, who is nine months pregnant, said she was punched in the stomach while trying to break up a fight between Cooper and her future brother-in-law.
“He not only scared me, but put me and my unborn child in danger and I could have lost my kid,” Geldersma told FOX 17 Oct. 25.
Geldersma said she had to go to the hospital for two days after the incident because of contractions resulting from the blow. She said a male bystander stepped in and helped her break up the fight.
