Man who wanted fiancée to abort twins is charged with their murders

A man from Napa, California, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder for allegedly killing his fiancée who was pregnant with twins.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• 40-year-old Ernie Victor Solis has been charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of 33-year-old Hailey Privett and her preborn children.

• Solis reportedly texted a family member about wanting Privett to abort the twins.

• Homicide is a leading cause of death of pregnant women.

THE DETAILS:

Prosecutors say Solis repeatedly stabbed Privett in her Napa home in the early morning hours of June 8, while her three children were sleeping. Two of the children awoke in the morning to find a bloody knife and a trail of blood in their house, along with their mother’s bedroom door locked.

They called a family member, who came to the home and forced open the bedroom door, finding Privett’s body inside.

Police say that after the crime, Solis stole and later abandoned Privett’s car, which was found covered in blood. He was tracked to a family member’s home and was subsequently arrested.

He initially faced a single murder count, but prosecutors later added additional murder charges after they learned Privett was pregnant with twins who were due in December.

According to The Press Democrat, Solis texted a family member about wanting Privett to get an abortion before allegedly murdering her. “I’m really thinking about saying that we need to have an abortion and just wait for a better time to have kids. That should wise her up,” he wrote.

Solis reportedly has a long criminal history, and is now being held without bail. If convicted, he faces the possibility of a life sentence without parole or the death penalty.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Homicide remains a leading cause of death for pregnant women, with one study finding that it “exceeded all the leading causes of maternal mortality.”

Many cases of maternal homicide are domestic violence situations, especially when a man may be upset that his partner is refusing abortion. Abortion — which is the violent death of the preborn child — is not the answer to the threat of violence. Women in these situations need support and protection so they can bring their babies into the world without the threat of homicide or abuse.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, or call 1-800-799-SAFE.