VISTA, Calif. - A man accused of beating and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend in her Carlsbad home pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Michael Jonathan Carabajal, 31, is charged with the following:
-- attempted murder
-- rape
-- burglary
-- making a criminal threat
-- assault
-- false imprisonment
-- battery causing great bodily injury
He was also charged with one count of assault related to a December 2015 incident.
The attack, which was reported by the woman's 11-year-old daughter, happened March 17 at their home in southern Carlsbad, police said.
Officers arrived to find the Carabajal gone and the victim suffering from significant injuries, including a broken leg, Lt. Chris Boyd said. The woman told them Carabajal had held her captive, beaten her, had forcible sex with her and choked her into unconsciousness, the lieutenant said.
Police searched the area and found Carabajal in the 7800 block of Calle Mejor.
Detectives determined that the victim's daughter had interrupted the attack after phoning home when her mother failed to pick her up after school. During the call, the woman told the girl to alert the police and stay away from their house. Instead, the child went home, after which she made an emergency call, the lieutenant said.
Carabajal's bail was set at $1 million, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim and her 11-year-old daughter.
