IRVING, Texas — A 20-year-old Irving man was arrested after police say he struck his pregnant girlfriend in the back of the head with a hard object while she was driving along North O'Connor Boulevard.
Joseph Morales, 20, was arrested October 24, 2026, on a charge of assault of a pregnant woman, a third-degree felony.
According to Irving police, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at the Criminal Justice Center on O'Connor Road at approximately 1:27.
There, officers spoke with Zakayla Johnson, 18, who reported that Morales, her boyfriend of four years, had assaulted her while she was driving.
Woman Reported Head Pain and Dizziness After Assault
Johnson told officers she was driving her vehicle in the 300 block of North O'Connor Boulevard when Morales, who was sitting in the back seat, struck her in the back of the head with a hard object.
She reported experiencing pain and dizziness following the assault.
Police observed that Johnson was visibly pregnant. She told investigators that Morales knew she was carrying his child.
After gathering information about the incident, officers began searching for Morales.
Suspect Acknowledged Argument and Girlfriend's Pregnancy
Officers located Morales a short time later.
During questioning, Morales acknowledged arguing with Johnson while sitting in the back seat of her vehicle. He also confirmed knowing that she was pregnant.
Based on the victim's account and the information gathered during the investigation, an Irving police officer determined there was probable cause to arrest Morales.
He was charged with assault of a pregnant woman, a third-degree felony.
Woman Also Faces Unrelated Child Endangerment Case in Tarrant County
Separately, Johnson has a pending criminal case in Tarrant County stemming from an April 2026 arrest by Fort Worth police.
In that case, Johnson was charged with endangering a child. According to the state's allegation, the offense involved conduct committed intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence.
Her bond was set at $25,000, and she was subsequently released on bond.
The Tarrant County case is separate from the October 24 domestic violence investigation in Irving.
