MIDLAND — John Thornton, 42, has rejected a plea deal that would have dismissed two charges in connection with an alleged assault against his pregnant partner. The incident occurred on October 9, 2025, when the victim, who was reportedly 16 weeks pregnant at the time, sustained significant injuries after being punched approximately 20 times by Thornton.
Thornton is currently lodged in Midland County Jail without bond set for $500,000. During a plea hearing before Judge Stephen Carras of the Midland County Circuit Court on Thursday, Thornton refused to accept an offer that would have seen him plead guilty to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and domestic violence charges. In exchange, he was offered dismissal of two misdemeanor charges: aggravated domestic violence and using narcotics.
The victim's injuries were severe enough for her to seek medical attention immediately after the incident. She reportedly had significant facial trauma, including a swollen right eye and bleeding from the head. The assault took place in a vehicle where Thornton allegedly punched his partner multiple times before she managed to escape and call 911 for help.
Following the rejection of the plea deal, Judge Carras ordered the case set for trial but no date has been finalized yet. Thornton was arrested on December 9 by Saginaw police after they responded to a 911 call from Waldo Avenue where the victim had sought assistance following the assault.
This is not the first time Thornton has faced legal troubles in Midland County; he previously served jail time for an unarmed robbery conviction and spent 30 days incarcerated due to his involvement in a fatal car accident that claimed the life of Beatrice Morado, who was struck by him while under the influence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and methadone.