Illegal Charged in Wife's Beating

An illegal immigrant and convicted felon made his first court appearance Wednesday in Bartlett. He's charged with beating and raping his wife, in front of their children.

Police say it happened on the 6000 block of Fairway Heights Cove, Monday. Bartlett police say they have not been called to the home before. Neighbors, who knew the family well, say they were quiet and friendly. They say the whole incident turns their stomach.

Neighbor Scott Phillips says, "When you live on the same street with people and see them taking care of their yard and their children, their children played with our children, to us we took it all personally."

Police say, around 11pm, 33-year old Marcelino Navarro-Calderon savagely beat his 25-year old wife and raped her. Police reports show blood covered the bed, floor and walls.
Court documents show he admitted to firing two gunshots in her direction, although did not hit her.

Neighbors called police. The couple's 4 little boys, all under the age of 6, asked officers if their "mommy was going to die."

Lt. Rory Mack with Bartlett Police says, "Officers made entry into the bedroom where found victim lying on the floor face down who had been bound, tied up."

Navarro-Calderon was arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, rape and unlawful possession of a weapon. Detectives say he has a rap sheet from California, dating back to 1996.

Mack says, "Mostly property type crimes, burglary, a few simple assault cases, other than that nothing that would lead us to this case where we are today."

Neighbors say the couple lived in the neighborhood for 5 years. They say Navarro-Calderon was deported last December because he was in the country illegally. Police don't know how he re-entered the U.S.

Phillips says they were upset when he was deported, "we were saddened by it. The children were upset; he was like a stay at home dad, mom worked and we stayed home with the kids."

Bartlett police say they have officers working with different community groups in an effort to combat domestic violence and identify cases like this, before they take a turn for the worst.

Mack says, "Unfortunately domestic violence occurs behind doors and we're not aware until something like this happens."

Police say they have not been able to talk with the victim because she's on a ventilator. Her children are now with her relatives. Navarro-Calderon's next court appearance is Friday. He's being held without bond.