Texas sheriff says pregnant woman apparently hit by deputy may have reached for his gun

WATCH ABOVE: A video posted on YouTube on April 4 purports to show Hunt County deputies punching a pregnant woman as she was being arrested.

GREENVILLE, Texas – A Texas sheriff says a deputy shown in a video apparently striking a pregnant woman may have used force to prevent her from taking his firearm.

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks acknowledged at a news conference Wednesday that he’s not certain Deanna Robinson reached for the weapon. But he says the deputy told investigators that she loosened his ammunition belt in the struggle.

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Robinson was 38 weeks pregnant when she was arrested March 4 at her parents’ home northeast of Dallas during a child abuse investigation.

Home surveillance video appears to show Robinson pressed stomach-first against a counter, then the deputy raising his arm and striking her. The 38-year-old Robinson is heard on tape screaming, “I’m pregnant!”

The video was later posted online.

Robinson wants the deputy charged with assault.