WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. (Court TV) — Prosecutors said a woman and her husband murdered a pregnant woman and her baby when they cut the child out of her, calling the murder “evil personified.”
(L) Cortney Bartholomew, (R) Bradly Bartholomew (Wexford County Sheriff’s Office)
22-year-old Rebecca Park was last seen on Nov. 3. She was 38 weeks pregnant when she disappeared, according to the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities later confirmed her remains were found on Nov. 25 in Manistee National Forest, and the baby was not located with her body, reported WPBN.
Park’s biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, and stepfather, Bradly Bartholomew, were arraigned on multiple charges Tuesday, including murder and torture, reported The Associated Press.
In court on Tuesday, prosecutor Johanna Carey said, “Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, forced her into another vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, ultimately caused her death and the death of the baby.”
MORE | Affidavits detail Rebecca Park was alive as baby was cut from her
Cortney Bartholomew was Park’s biological mother, but Park was raised by a couple who adopted her and her siblings, reported The AP.
Park’s fiancé, Richard Falor, was arrested the night her body was found on unrelated drug charges. Her sister, Kimberly Park, was arrested soon after on charges of tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer and making a false report of a felony, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Court TV.
This undated photo provided by the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office shows Rebecca Park. (Wexford County Sheriff’s Office)
The complaint against Kimberly details allegations against Cortney and Bradly Batholomew, stating, “Cortney Bartholomew had Bradley (sic) Bartholomew strike Rebecca Park in the head causing a seizure and then took her body away.”
Falor’s father previously told MLive that authorities searched his home, which he shared with his son, the day after Rebecca’s body was found. Falor’s father said the search warrant showed authorities were looking for DNA, trace evidence and electronics. MLive also reported the search warrant indicated they were searching for tools or vehicles that may have been used to dispose of human remains.
Falor is in jail on a $1 million cash bond, while Kimberly is being held on a $750,000 cash bond, reported WPBN.
Cortney and Bradly Batholomew were denied bond on Tuesday.
