CADILLAC, Mich. (TCN) — Cortney Bartholomew, the biological mother of pregnant 22-year-old Rebecca Park, allegedly confessed to police that her daughter was conscious while she cut an unborn baby from her womb. Her husband Bradly Bartholomew allegedly held a knife to Park throughout and then slit her throat, the New York Post reports.
The baby was not breathing and the remains were allegedly placed into a cooler and left in a dumpster, per People. Park’s body was reportedly covered with leaves and left in the woods. She had gone missing Nov. 3 and her body was found Nov. 25.
“When she cut the baby out, Cortney said that Rebecca was still conscious and Bradly was holding the knife to her throat,” the affidavit obtained by People said.
Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and Bradly Bartholomew, 47, were charged with murder Dec. 2 in connection with Park’s death.
Court documents obtained by People say Bradly Bartholomew was a sex offender. The outlet reports Cortney Bartholomew allegedly planned to kill Park because the couple wanted more children but they could not adopt because of his sex offender status. People also reports Cortney Bartholomew claimed she was going give the child to Park’s fiancé Richard Falor, 43.
Cortney Bartholomew briefly dated Falor, according to People, and wanted to leave her husband for him, but then Falor had a change of heart and got back together with Park.
Rebecca Park’s sister Kimberly Park was also allegedly involved with Falor, according to People. She is currently on house arrest after being charged with evidence tampering, lying to a police officer, and filing a false report.
To protect Falor, Kimberly Park allegedly falsely told officers Park had died after hitting her head during a seizure and said her body was taken to a swamp.
Cortney Bartholomew allegedly told investigators that her initial plan was to cut Park’s baby out of her in front of Falor, but she also stated Bradly Bartholomew was the father of Park’s child.
According to People, Cortney Bartholomew said Park’s killing was to retaliate against Falor, who allegedly reported Bradly Bartholomew for a sex offender violation.
Both Bartholomews remain held without bond, the New York Post reports.
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