Battering may start or become worse during pregnancy.

But, when Maria got pregnant , John called her lazy and irresponsible.

He pushed and slapped her when she was to exhuasted to maintain
her regular schedule of cooking and cleaning.

One evening , when Maria was 8 months pregnant , and his dinner wasen't on the table at 6 o'clock sharp,
John flew into a rage and broke Maria's arm.

John accomplished her to the hospital's emergancy room, and intimidated by him,
Maria told the doctor she had fallen accidentally.

Shortly afterward , Maria delivered twins , and a boy and a girl.
From the beginning , John showed special favor to his son.

He started to physically abuse his daughter at age 3, and
sexually abuse her at 6.